By Manpreet Sethi
Within 18 months of conducting its nuclear tests in May 1998, India’s National Security Advisory Board presented a draft nuclear doctrine to the government. This document premised India’s nuclear deterrence on the country’s ability to carry out punitive retaliation to inflict damage deemed unacceptable to an aggressor. Commitment to a “retaliation only” policy mandated the development of a capability consistent with five key factors – maximum credibility, survivability, effectiveness, safety and security.
In support of the first three requirements, India’s nuclear doctrine further stipulated that nuclear forces be based on a triad of aircraft, mobile land-based missiles and sea-based assets of adequate ranges and reliability. Over the years, India has been steadily moving to develop and induct these capabilities – not as part of a race with anyone, but in pursuit of establishing credible nuclear deterrence.
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