A Comprehensive Overview of India's Nuclear Doctrine

Key Points of India’s Nuclear Doctrine

India’s nuclear doctrine is built on a series of foundational principles aimed at ensuring national security and maintaining strategic stability. Here are the core elements:

• Credible Minimum Deterrent: India seeks to establish and uphold a credible minimum deterrent to safeguard its sovereignty.
• No First Use: The policy dictates that nuclear weapons will only be employed in retaliation against a nuclear assault on Indian territory or forces.
• Massive Retaliation: Any nuclear response to an initial strike will be overwhelming, aimed at inflicting unacceptable damage on the aggressor.
• Civilian Authorization: The authority to launch nuclear retaliatory attacks rests exclusively with the civilian political leadership through the Nuclear Command Authority.
• Non-Use Against Non-Nuclear States: India has pledged not to use nuclear weapons against states that do not possess them.
• Response to Biological or Chemical Attacks: India reserves the right to retaliate with nuclear weapons in response to significant biological or chemical attacks against the nation.
• Export Controls: The nation enforces stringent controls on the export of nuclear and missile technology, engages in Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty negotiations, and adheres to a nuclear test moratorium.
• Commitment to Disarmament: India is dedicated to achieving a world free of nuclear weapons through global, verifiable, and non-discriminatory disarmament efforts.

Nuclear Command Authority Structure

The governance of India’s nuclear capabilities is structured through the Nuclear Command Authority, which comprises:

• Political Council: This body, chaired by the Prime Minister, holds the exclusive authority to authorize the use of nuclear weapons.
• Executive Council: Led by the National Security Advisor, this council provides essential inputs for the decision-making process and implements directives from the Political Council.

Additionally, the Cabinet Committee on Security has sanctioned the appointment of a Commander-in-Chief for the Strategic Forces Command, which is tasked with overseeing and managing all strategic military assets. The committee has also evaluated and approved contingency plans for alternate command chains to enable effective retaliatory nuclear strikes under various scenarios.

India’s nuclear doctrine reflects a balanced approach to national security, emphasizing deterrence while promoting a commitment to disarmament and global stability.