Page 13 - The Indian EYE 051923

OPINION MAY 19, 2023 | The Indian Eye 13

ticipated in the negotiations process
of the treaty. It had also proposed its
own resolution for the construction
of the treaty but the international
body opted for the Irish resolution.
In those years, its insistence was
on stemming both vertical prolifera-
tion (qualitative development of nu-
clear weapons by the nuclear weapons
countries) and horizontal prolifera-
tion (the spread of nuclear weapons
beyond the five nuclear weapons
states recognised by the NPT). By
the beginning of the 21st century,
India started accepting the idea of
non-proliferation. Over the years, it
adopted not only non-proliferation
norms but also different non-pro-
liferation tools and mechanisms.
After the 1998 nuclear tests, the
phase of integration with the nucle-
ar order and the non-proliferation
regime started. India began the
journey from estrangement to en-
gagement and a positive and vibrant The defining moment of India’s relationship with the non-proliferation order came with the 2005 India–United States Civil Nuclear Energy
relationship with the regime. India
harmonised its export control sys- Initiative, popularly known as the Indo-US nuclear deal (File photo)
tem with the guidelines of the NSG
and the Missile Technology Control The NSG’s guidelines became need to give nuclear threats against not signing the NPT, it supports the
Regime (MTCR). Even if India is the focus. In 2008, the guidelines of Pakistan which is conventionally in- stabilising role of the treaty. It has
waiting for the NSG membership, it the Group had clean exemptions for ferior to India. However, India does made it quite clear that it does not
joined the MTCR. India. The divided Western world fi- not do such things even against Chi- want to rock it. The treaty may thrive
nally adapted the regime. The new na, which is perceived conventionally or fall on the basis of its own mer-
The defining moment of India’s collaboration between the West, superior to it. It is a different issue its and demerits. Similarly, despite
and countries like Japan with India
that in recent years, many Indian and
maintaining a good friendship with
relationship with the non-pro- started on various nuclear issues. Western analysts have come out with Iran, it advises it to comply with the
liferation order came with the The Western nuclear noise became their writings busting the Chinese treaty it has signed.
soothing for India. The entire West- conventional superiority myth vis-à- Today, nuclear India is com-
2005 India–United States Civil ern bloc has pushed India’s case for vis India. memorating its 25th anniversary.
Doomsayers maintained that
Nuclear Energy Initiative, popu- membership of the NSG. the two South Asian countries had The struggle for the nomenclature—
de facto or dejure/nuclear weapon or
Today, unlike Pakistan and Chi-
larly known as the Indo-US nu- na, India has gained legitimacy as a fought the wars in the past and the non-nuclear weapon state, has dis-
clear deal. It gave an opportuni- responsible nuclear weapon country absence of redlines between the two appeared. India is a nuclear weapon
in the comity of nations. The prolif- countries may lead the war-prone country that possesses robust nuclear
ty for India to mainstream itself eration network-hidden and mani- countries to fight another war in the deterrence but still believes that a
with the non-proliferation re- fest, sullied the image of India’s two nuclear mode. This myth was bust- world without nuclear weapons is a
nuclear neighbours. Despite all the ed soon. India and Pakistan fought safe place. It supports genuine and
gime. The action saw resistance independent or combined moves of a war in Kargil in 1999. Needless to serious nuclear disarmament initia-
within India as also from the China and Pakistan, the NSG guide- say, the war was fought without any tives, not arms control screening nu-
lines, leave alone the membership of nuclear exchange. clear disarmament. The synergised
West. In India, a section of the the regime, have not been stirred for This war also busted the long- Shanti (peace) and Shakti (strength)
policy community opposed the Pakistan. As a result, it is still relying held myth that war between two mantra of India is supporting the
on the black or grey market for its nu- nuclear weapons countries would contemporary global nuclear order.
deal on the grounds of national clear commerce. China, blatantly, as- compulsorily be nuclear in nature.
security and strategic autonomy. sists Pakistan in violating the nuclear In a way, nuclearisation of India and Dr Rajiv Nayan is Senior Research
laws and norms to which it is a party. to an extent, of Pakistan, rewrote old Associate at the Manohar Parrikar
India’s track record as a re- nuclear theology. It should have si- Institute for Defence Studies and Anal-
In the West, the opposition
came mainly from the non-prolifera- sponsible nuclear weapon country is lenced the theoreticians of a nuclear yses, New Delhi.
reflected in its policy of nuclear re-
holocaust in South Asia but after a
tion community, which was reluctant straint. This policy, in turn, is based few more years, the irrational imag- Views expressed are of the author and
to accept an NPT-defined non-nucle- not only on its nuclear doctrine of ination kept coming. For this kind do not necessarily reflect the views of
ar weapons country possessing nu- credible nuclear deterrence and no of occasional and sporadic illusion, the Manohar Parrikar IDSA or of the
clear weapons getting mainstreamed first use (NFU) but also reflects in Pakistan’s nuclear policy is greatly Government of India.
with the non-proliferation order. The exercising control during border cri- responsible. This article first appeared in the
treaty remained intact but the rules, ses. Unlike Pakistan, India has never India has become a source and Comments section of the website (www.
which had evolved over the years to indulged in sabre-rattling, whether supporter of global nuclear stability. idsa.in) of Manohar Parrikar Institute
support the treaty, were adjusted to against China or Pakistan. It adhered to many of the nuclear ini- for Defense Studies and Analyses, New
make way for India.
Some may argue that it does not tiatives it had opposed once. Despite Delhi on May 11, 2023

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