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This book examines the Indian nuclear policy, doctrine, strategy and posture, clarifying the elastic concept of "credible minimum deterrence" at the center of the country`s approach to nuclear security. This concept, Karnad demonstrates, permits the Indian nuclear forces to be beefed up, size and quality-wise, and to acquire strategic reach and clout, even as the qualifier "minimum" suggests an overarching concern for moderation and economical use of resources, and strengthens India`s claims to be a "responsible" nuclear weapon state.
Based on interviews with Indian political leaders, nuclear scientists, and military and civilian nuclear policy planners, it provides unique insights into the workings of India`s nuclear decision-making and deterrence system. Moreover, by juxtaposing the Indian nuclear policy and thinking against the theories of nuclear war and strategic deterrence, nuclear escalation, and nuclear coercion, offers a strong theoretical grounding for the Indian approach to nuclear war and peace, nuclear deterrence and escalation, nonproliferation and disarmament, and to limited war in a nuclearized environment. It refutes the alarmist notions about a "nuclear flashpoint" in South Asia, etc. which derive from stereotyped analysis of India-Pakistan "wars", and examines India`s likely conflict scenarios involving China and, minorly, Pakistan
ISBN - 9780275999452
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Pages : 223
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