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Contours of disarmament with special relevance to india

Nuclear Disarmament: Regional Perspectives on Progress

ISBN: 978-1-78190-722-1, eISBN: 978-1-78190-723-8

Publication date: 29 October 2013

Abstract

Is the nuclear sky falling? It appears so. With the quantitative and qualificative improvements in nuclear stockpile, a proliferation-pessimism finds expression in metaphors about nuclear dominoes, chains etc. With a number of threshold states, the catch-phrase is ‘credible deterrence’. However, much of the zero-sum cold war thinking on strategic defence has now become anachronistic. A phased adaptive approach, leading to universal disarmament is necessary, especially in India’s strategic interest. A nuclear weapon-free world could ensure a safer regional security environment for India. It’s all the more imperative in view of China’s interest to emerge as the strategic leader in Asia, even well beyond Asia.

New START initiatives are positive developments in this regard. However, it is necessary to bring into this fold other nuclear powers. (China has rejected the US and Russian levels of nuclear ‘transparency’ as part of its defence calculus; it has already crossed the multiple warhead Rubicon. It may also install a National Missile Defence System by 2020.)

Though a Nuclear Weapon-Free World (NWFW) cannot emerge instantaneously, an NWFW can evolve, if the following measures are evolved:

  • (i)

    Change the mind-set devaluing nuclear weapons by strategically displacing ‘disbelief’ with ‘faith’ in the efficacy of nuclear abolition.

  • (ii)

    Change the perception of  the utility and prestige associated with nuclear weapons.

  • (iii)

    Redraft nuclear doctrines to restrict their role and break the ‘feed-back paradigm of the need for nuclear deterrence’.

  • (iv)

    Take measures to build confidence in multilateral initiation on NWFW.

  • (v)

    Ensure universal acceptance of ‘no first use’ (NFU) through a legally binding, universally accepted agreement.

  • (vi)

    Have agreement prohibiting the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.

  • (vii)

    Devise agreements for controlling the continuous qualitative upgradation.

  • (viii)

    Establishment of a Safeguard Regime with thorough organizational and institutional mechanism.

  • (ix)

    Use advanced surveillance and monitoring technology to ensure compliance.

  • (x)

    Implement effective enforcement strategy to penalize delinquent.

It is in India’s interest to pursue universal disarmament with universal focus on economic and social cohesion for war prevention as the key to long-term security.

As the first Asian country to build a nuclear reactor, and as one among the handful of countries with full nuclear fuel cycle capabilities, India should strive to bring about universal disarmament of nuclear weapons so that world can meet spiralling demand for power through nuclear reactors, which pose no threat to the world peace.

Citation

Mohan, S.R. (2013), "Contours of disarmament with special relevance to india", Nuclear Disarmament: Regional Perspectives on Progress (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 21), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 15-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1572-8323(2013)0000021007

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013 Emerald Group Publishing Limited