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Indian Nuclear Policy: Oxford India Short Introductions
India's first Prime, Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, laid the foundations of an elaborate atomic energy program in 1948, just a year after India's independence. Yet, it took Indian decision-makers more than 50 years to declare the country a nuclear-weapon state in May 1998. Once India crossed the nuclear rubicon, it has managed to transform itself into a major nuclear power. This short introduction provides a clear and succinct account of the evolution of Indian nuclear policy over seven decades since Independence. Situating India's nuclear behaviour in its quest for global status, demands of national security, vagaries of domestic politics and the idiosyncrasies of the individuals who led its nuclear program, it explains how India's engagement with the atom is unique in international nuclear history and politics.
Utilizing the recently declassified archival documents and oral history interviews, the five chapters follow a linear historical narrative explaining how India's nuclear pioneers established the nuclear program after independence; India's development of a 'nuclear weapons option after the Chinese nuclear test of 1964; its nuclear refrain after the 1974 PNE; its pathways to nuclearisation in the decade of 1980s and 1990s; and finally its rise as a nuclear weapons power after the 1998 nuclear test.
Utilizing the recently declassified archival documents and oral history interviews, the five chapters follow a linear historical narrative explaining how India's nuclear pioneers established the nuclear program after independence; India's development of a 'nuclear weapons option after the Chinese nuclear test of 1964; its nuclear refrain after the 1974 PNE; its pathways to nuclearisation in the decade of 1980s and 1990s; and finally its rise as a nuclear weapons power after the 1998 nuclear test.
218 pages, Paperback
Published November 27, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 2, 2023
India is the only country that has two neighbors with whom there is a border difference and has fought a war, both of which are nuclear powers. Additionally, India's nuclear doctrine, such as "no first use" and "Credible minimum deterrent," focuses on deterrence by denial rather than deterrence by punishment. This raises the question of how this concept evolved. While the evolution of India's doctrine was entirely non-linear, the authors of this book follow a linear historical narrative starting from 1947
This book is divided into 5 chapters apart from introduction.
1 The Promise of the Atomic Age covers from 1947 to 1964, tracing the beginning of India’s nuclear polices, its atomic energy programme, and the nature of its nuclear intentions. This chapter has three sections, “The first section of this chapter throws light on the ideas of its nuclear pioneers: Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Homi Bhabha.” (Loc:298-300) “The second section delineates the international dimension of India’s nuclear programme and the cooperation agreements India signed with major nuclear powers such as the UK, Canada, and the US.” (Loc:303-304) and “The last section discusses one of the major pillars of India’s nuclear policy during the first two decades of its existence: its approach to nuclear disarmament.” (Loc:306-308)
2 Perils of a Nuclear Neighbour , “chapter charts the course of India’s nuclear behaviour and policy in the crucial decade following China’s nuclear test. It parses the debate within, India’s responses, and the failure and success of its nuclear policies between 1964 and 1974” (Loc:303-304)
3 The Failed Policy of Nuclear Refrain “This chapter traces these trends and their impact on India’s nuclear policy between 1974 and 1984.” ( Loc:932-933) It focuses on how global non-proliferation regime by nuclear countries got strengthened with monopoly on advanced nuclear technology. The used NPT as a stick to hammer India & other non-nuclear states to implement nuclear apartheid.
4 Pathway to a Nuclear Weapon State “This chapter outlines India’s nuclear policy between 1984 and 1998. It is divided into three sections. The first section discusses India’s nuclear policy under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi’s prime ministership saw India making tangible progress in weaponizing its nuclear deterrent, a process which began under his predecessor, Indira Gandhi. The second section deliberates the impact of the end of the Cold War and of the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime on India’s policy choices. The last section delves into the weapons tests of May 1998 and its immediate consequences.” (Loc:1214-1218)
5 A Major Nuclear Power “This chapter explains the evolution of India’s nuclear policy since 1998, especially the evolving nuclear threat scenario, its emerging nuclear profile, the debate around its nuclear doctrine, its accommodation in the global nuclear order, and finally, its changing attitude on arms control treaties such as the CTBT and the FMCT.” (Loc:1461-1463)
This book undoubtedly one of the best to understand how the current doctrine has not evolved in siloes but a continued process from atomic energy program ending up declared nuclear state through peaceful nuclear explosion. On reading this book one will realize India’s nuclear policy is a carefully thought through policy that has taken decades to mature, even if it was not publicly well articulated.
This book is divided into 5 chapters apart from introduction.
1 The Promise of the Atomic Age covers from 1947 to 1964, tracing the beginning of India’s nuclear polices, its atomic energy programme, and the nature of its nuclear intentions. This chapter has three sections, “The first section of this chapter throws light on the ideas of its nuclear pioneers: Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Homi Bhabha.” (Loc:298-300) “The second section delineates the international dimension of India’s nuclear programme and the cooperation agreements India signed with major nuclear powers such as the UK, Canada, and the US.” (Loc:303-304) and “The last section discusses one of the major pillars of India’s nuclear policy during the first two decades of its existence: its approach to nuclear disarmament.” (Loc:306-308)
2 Perils of a Nuclear Neighbour , “chapter charts the course of India’s nuclear behaviour and policy in the crucial decade following China’s nuclear test. It parses the debate within, India’s responses, and the failure and success of its nuclear policies between 1964 and 1974” (Loc:303-304)
3 The Failed Policy of Nuclear Refrain “This chapter traces these trends and their impact on India’s nuclear policy between 1974 and 1984.” ( Loc:932-933) It focuses on how global non-proliferation regime by nuclear countries got strengthened with monopoly on advanced nuclear technology. The used NPT as a stick to hammer India & other non-nuclear states to implement nuclear apartheid.
4 Pathway to a Nuclear Weapon State “This chapter outlines India’s nuclear policy between 1984 and 1998. It is divided into three sections. The first section discusses India’s nuclear policy under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi’s prime ministership saw India making tangible progress in weaponizing its nuclear deterrent, a process which began under his predecessor, Indira Gandhi. The second section deliberates the impact of the end of the Cold War and of the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime on India’s policy choices. The last section delves into the weapons tests of May 1998 and its immediate consequences.” (Loc:1214-1218)
5 A Major Nuclear Power “This chapter explains the evolution of India’s nuclear policy since 1998, especially the evolving nuclear threat scenario, its emerging nuclear profile, the debate around its nuclear doctrine, its accommodation in the global nuclear order, and finally, its changing attitude on arms control treaties such as the CTBT and the FMCT.” (Loc:1461-1463)
This book undoubtedly one of the best to understand how the current doctrine has not evolved in siloes but a continued process from atomic energy program ending up declared nuclear state through peaceful nuclear explosion. On reading this book one will realize India’s nuclear policy is a carefully thought through policy that has taken decades to mature, even if it was not publicly well articulated.
December 12, 2018
The book beautifully summarizes the period dating from 1947-2008 with regard to India's policy towards both Civilian Nuclear Programme and the defense. It offers a very compelling narrative encompassing the historical background, geopolitics, domestic compulsions, multilateral treaties among others.
A must read for enthusiasts who would like to peek into the world of policy making.
A must read for enthusiasts who would like to peek into the world of policy making.
February 19, 2021
One-stop elementary-level Guide on India's atomic policy & its related issues.
October 30, 2021
Concise and well researched. Some of the most fascinating history I've read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews