PSIR Simplified

What is difference between Nuclear Policy and Nuclear Doctrine?

In this context, it is essential to first understand the concepts of nuclear policy and nuclear doctrine. Nuclear policy refers to a nation’s stance regarding the development, regulation, and various uses of nuclear power. Any country can formulate such a policy, regardless of whether it possesses nuclear capabilities or not. In contrast, the nuclear doctrine refers to the specific parameters governing the development, control, and employment of nuclear weapons. Nuclear doctrine is formulated only by nations that possess nuclear weapons or the capability to produce them. This explains why India announced its nuclear doctrine only after acquiring nuclear weapon capabilities, even though its nuclear policy has been in place since the 1950s. However, some of the elements of nuclear policy may overlap with contents of the nuclear doctrine.

Key Features of India’s Nuclear Doctrine

The initial draft of India’s nuclear doctrine was prepared in August 1999, following the nuclear tests of 1998, but it was not officially announced at that time.

India’s official nuclear doctrine was announced on January 4, 2003, following approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security. The key elements of this doctrine are as follows:

1. India will adhere to the principle of ‘No First Use’ regarding nuclear weapons. This means that India will not be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict against a nuclear-armed state. However, if a nuclear-armed state uses nuclear weapons against India first, India reserves the right to retaliate with nuclear weapons.
2. India will never use nuclear weapons in a conflict against countries that do not possess nuclear weapons.
3. If India retaliates with nuclear weapons against a nuclear-armed state, the response will be massive and devastating for the adversary. To ensure this, India will develop a ‘Minimum Credible Nuclear Deterrence’ capability. Consequently, India must configure its nuclear arsenal in such a way that it ensures survivability for a retaliatory strike (second-strike capability). That is why India is developing the capability to deploy nuclear weapons across all three branches of its armed forces. In recent years, India has developed three nuclear-powered submarines-‘Arihant’, ‘Arighat’, and ‘Aridaman’-capable of concealing nuclear weapons and launching a retaliatory strike.
4. If India faces a first strike using Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)-such as chemical or biological weapons-it reserves the right to retaliate with nuclear weapons. It is worth noting that chemical and biological weapons, like nuclear weapons, are classified as weapons of mass destruction.
5. Command and control over the use of India’s nuclear weapons rests with the political leadership rather than the military. This means that authorization to use nuclear weapons can only be granted by the Cabinet or the Prime Minister.
6. Despite acquiring nuclear capabilities, India advocates for a nuclear-weapon-free world, provided that the elimination of such weapons is verifiable and the process is non-discriminatory.

How Pakistan’s Nuclear Doctrine is different from India’s Nuclear Doctrine?

India’s nuclear doctrine must be analyzed in the context of the threats posed by the nuclear arsenals of Pakistan and China. Notably, Pakistan’s nuclear program was developed with Chinese assistance, and the two nations share a strategic partnership directed against India. India continues to face persistent tensions with both countries. It should also be mentioned that while India and China are capable of strategic (long range) nuclear weapons, Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is dominated by tactical (short range) nuclear weapons.

First, while China has adopted a “No First Use” policy in its nuclear doctrine, Pakistan has not adopted the No-First Use principle.  According to Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine, it may resort to a first nuclear strike if its core capabilities are at risk of destruction or if its national existence is threatened. Pakistan itself assesses the nature of such threats. Consequently, it reserves the option to initiate the use of nuclear weapons.

Second, the effective and ultimate control over the use of nuclear weapons in Pakistan rests with the military, whereas this control rests with political leadership in India. This gives the possibility of transfer of nuclear material and technology to terrorist groups. These groups may manufacture ‘dirty bombs’ which are crude nuclear bombs with considerable destructive capability in a local area.

Third, there is also a possibility that China might incite Pakistan to use nuclear weapons against India rather than using them itself, given the influence it continues to wield over Pakistan’s policies. This is possible because Pakistan as not adopted no-first use principle.

Therefore, in such a scenario, India needs to consider its ‘No First Use’ policy; at least with regard to Pakistan.

Note- The full official version of India’s nuclear doctrine is available at:

https://archive.pib.gov.in/release02/lyr2003/rjan2003/04012003/r040120033.html