Answer:

India’s nuclear doctrine, established in 2003, underscores a policy of credible minimum deterrence and no first use (NFU) of nuclear weapons. It aims to ensure that India’s nuclear arsenal is solely for defensive purposes, maintaining stability in a volatile geopolitical environment. This doctrine reflects India’s commitment to global nuclear disarmament and responsible stewardship of nuclear weapons.

Relevance of India’s Nuclear Doctrine in Current Geopolitical Dynamics:

• Countering Regional Nuclear Threats: The doctrine’s emphasis on credible minimum deterrence ensures that India can effectively deter nuclear threats from neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan and China. This is crucial as both nations have been expanding their nuclear capabilities.
  For example: India’s Agni-V missile, with a range of 5,000 km, enhances its deterrence against regional adversaries, ensuring a credible response capability.
• Balancing Strategic Autonomy: India’s NFU policy reinforces its strategic autonomy, allowing it to maintain a defensive posture without engaging in a nuclear arms race. This autonomy is vital in navigating complex international relations and maintaining sovereignty over its nuclear policy.
• Contributing to Global Non-Proliferation: India’s commitment to NFU and disarmament positions it as a responsible nuclear power, contributing to global efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation. This stance strengthens India’s diplomatic relations and enhances its standing in international forums.
  For instance: India’s adherence to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR, 1987) underscores its commitment to non-proliferation.
• Ensuring Strategic Stability: The doctrine’s clear articulation of massive retaliation in response to a nuclear attack ensures strategic stability. This clarity prevents miscalculations by adversaries, thereby reducing the likelihood of a nuclear conflict.
  For example: The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) in India ensures that its nuclear arsenal is managed effectively, maintaining readiness and credibility.
• Adapting to Technological Advancements: As global nuclear dynamics evolve with advancements like cyber warfare and artificial intelligence, India’s doctrine remains relevant by focusing on the survivability of its nuclear arsenal and enhancing its command and control systems.
  For instance: India’s investment in nuclear triad capabilities (land, sea, and air-based nuclear forces) strengthens its deterrence against first-strike capabilities.

Addressing India’s Strategic Security Concerns:

• Deterring Cross-Border Terrorism: India’s nuclear doctrine serves as a deterrent against state-sponsored terrorism from nuclear-armed neighbours, ensuring that conventional conflicts do not escalate into nuclear confrontations.
  For instance: India’s surgical strikes post-Uri attack in 2016 demonstrated its ability to manage conventional conflicts while maintaining nuclear restraint.
• Managing Sino-Indian Rivalry: The doctrine addresses the strategic imbalance with China by ensuring a credible second-strike capability, thus deterring any nuclear adventurism by China in the context of border disputes or regional dominance.
  For instance: The deployment of the Arihant-class submarines enhances India’s second-strike capability, crucial in deterring China.
• Responding to Pakistan’s Tactical Nuclear Weapons: India’s emphasis on massive retaliation counters Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapons doctrine, ensuring that any nuclear use by Pakistan would invite a devastating response, thus deterring first-use scenarios.
  For example: India’s Cold Start Doctrine integrates conventional military responses with nuclear deterrence, providing flexibility in escalation control.
• Maintaining Technological Edge: The doctrine supports continuous technological advancements in India’s nuclear arsenal, ensuring that it can respond effectively to emerging threats, including cyber-attacks on command and control systems.
  For instance: India’s collaboration with DRDO and other research agencies ensures ongoing advancements in nuclear and missile technologies.
• Safeguarding National Security: By maintaining a policy of NFU and credible deterrence, India’s nuclear doctrine aligns with its broader national security strategy, ensuring that nuclear weapons serve as a tool of last resort.
  For instance: The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) contributes to India’s ability to deter threats across multiple domains.

Contribution to Regional Stability:

• Preventing Arms Race: India’s restrained approach to nuclear weapons prevents an arms race in South Asia, contributing to regional stability by avoiding unnecessary escalation and encouraging mutual restraint among nuclear-armed neighbours.
  For instance: India’s limited nuclear arsenal, as per the doctrine of credible minimum deterrence, avoids provoking a reactionary buildup by Pakistan or China.
• Promoting Nuclear Restraint: India’s clear NFU policy promotes nuclear restraint in the region, setting a standard for responsible nuclear behaviour and reducing the chances of accidental or preemptive nuclear strikes.
  For instance: India’s participation in the Nuclear Security Summit demonstrates its commitment to nuclear security and regional stability.
• Encouraging Diplomatic Engagement: The doctrine’s focus on deterrence rather than aggression creates space for diplomatic engagement, allowing for dialogue and conflict resolution without the immediate threat of nuclear escalation.
  For instance: India’s continued dialogue with Pakistan on nuclear confidence-building measures (CBMs) reinforces regional stability.
• Supporting International Non-Proliferation Regimes: India’s nuclear doctrine aligns with international non-proliferation efforts, supporting global initiatives that reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation and contributing to a stable regional security environment.
  For instance: India’s active participation in the Conference on Disarmament aligns with its commitment to global and regional stability.
• Deterring External Interventions: The doctrine’s credible deterrence capability deters external powers from intervening in South Asian conflicts, ensuring that regional issues are managed locally without external nuclear pressures.
  For instance: India’s strategic partnerships, such as with Russia and the United States, support its nuclear deterrence policy and regional stability.

India’s nuclear doctrine remains a cornerstone of its national security strategy, providing a stable framework in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. As global and regional dynamics shift, India’s commitment to credible minimum deterrence and No First Use continues to ensure strategic stability. Future enhancements in technology, alliances, and defence capabilities will further solidify India’s position as a responsible nuclear power in the international arena.

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