Pakistan, in recent days, is showing an aggressive military strategy and continues to expand the size of its nuclear arsenal.
It has refused to adopt the No First Use (NFU) policy, and takes undue advantage of its nuclear shield to support and sponsor terrorism.
All these call for India to focus on its nuclear principles and respond appropriately.
What lies before India?
India’s nuclear strategy builds on the principles of restraint - credible minimum deterrence, No-First-Use (NFU) policy, non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states, etc.
Besides, despite being a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), its policies are consistent with provisions of NPT.
However, the recent developments necessitate that India should reconsider Minimum Deterrence and respond cautiously to Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapons.
India's nuclear readiness should be improved.
Also, new arms control measures should be considered for nuclear de-escalationby other countries.
Indian defence planning should incorporate an expanded role for nuclear weapons but without affecting ‘credible minimum deterrence’.
It should assess all conventional and un-conventional approaches to formulate a right response for any challenges and security risks.
India should be aware that any sign of threat from Pakistan is also a potential one from China, a greater security challenge.
It should thus move stronger in persuading other countries to restrain Pakistan’s offensive behaviour in terms of nuclear policies and state-sponsored terrorism.
And make Pakistan understand that nuclear weapons are merely to deter, and not to initiate, a nuclear war.
