Page 12 - The Indian EYE 051923

OPINION MAY 19, 2023 | The Indian Eye 12

Nuclear India@25

and the Adapted Nuclear

World Order

After the 1998 nuclear tests, India engaged with the global non-proliferation order. The tests invited
sanctions from a few countries, including the United States, and condemnation from many countries

India’s track record as a responsible nuclear weapon country is reflected in its policy of nuclear restraint. This policy, in turn, is based on its
RAJIV NAYAN
nuclear doctrine of credible nuclear deterrence and no first use (Graphic: OVD/Orion Int)
n 11 May, India is complet-
ing 25 years of its formally Where does India stand after 25 Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is dia’s diplomacy on the other greatly
Odeclared nuclear weapons years of its declaration to be called reflective of its desire for nuclear ac- contributed to the process of India’s
status. India conducted three nu- a nuclear weapons country? Allaying commodation. engagement with the nuclear order,
clear tests (45 kiloton thermonu- initial global apprehensions, India After the 1998 nuclear tests, In- including the non-proliferation re-
clear, 15 kiloton fission device, and sought accommodation in the glob- dia engaged with the global non-pro- gime.
0.2 sub-kiloton devices) that day in al nuclear order. The international liferation order. The tests invited The Strobe Talbott–Jaswant
1998, followed by two more tests in nuclear community seems to have sanctions from a few countries, in- Singh rounds of talks made India
the sub-kiloton category (0.5 and 0.3 reconciled to nuclear India, except cluding the United States, and con- abandon its policy of estrangement
kiloton devices) on 13 May the same by granting Nuclear Weapons State demnation from many countries. from the international non-prolifer-
year. In 1974, India conducted a status under the Nuclear Non-Prolif- The United Nations Security Coun- ation order. This estrangement had
Peaceful Nuclear Explosion (PNE), eration Treaty (NPT). It has strived cil, too, passed a resolution against begun since the entry into force of
which it does not accept was a nucle- for the task incrementally. Its active the tests. Geopolitical developments NPT in 1970. India had actively par-
ar weapons test. candidature for membership of the like 9/11 on the one hand and In- Continued on next page... >>

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