Discuss India’s Nuclear Doctrine. What are its key features and limitations? UPSC MAINS GS 3 INTERNAL SECURITY
Q2: Discuss India’s Nuclear Doctrine. What are its key features and limi Discuss India’s Nuclear Doctrine. What are its key features and limitations? India’s Nuclear Doctrine , formulated in 2003 and reaffirmed over the years, rests on the principle of credible minimum deterrence and a No First Use (NFU) policy . The doctrine mandates massive retaliation if subjected to a nuclear strike, with retaliatory strikes authorized solely by the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA)—a civilian-led body chaired by the Prime Minister . India also pledges non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states and maintains a voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing, while advocating for global nuclear disarmament . Key features of the doctrine include: · Credible minimum deterrence : Sufficient nuclear arsenal to inflict unacceptable damage, avoiding arms race dynamics . · No First Use : India w...