To ask why the BJP-led government has released the draft nuclear doctrine framed by the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) before the elections is to get the wrong end of the stick.The government, in fact, should be pulled up for doing precious little in the 14 months since the Pokhran II tests. It must be pointed out though that this work of an NSAB comprising time-servers and imported wisdom specialists can be bettered. The doctrine only outlines India's broad nuclear philosophy.It spells out the parameters within which nuclear weapons will be used. A more detailed nuclear strategy will establish exactly how a hypothetical nuclear strike is to take place: the delivery system, the target, the time frame for activation.The doctrine flows from the theory of deterrence that sees mutual possession of nuclear weapons as a disincentive for war. This principle governed the Cold War.India has rejected, for instance, the Maoist school that actually contemplated engaging and being an aggressor in a nuclear conflict. While the theory of deterrence is eminently sensible, the problem is the NSAB appears to suggest that India borrow the western nuclear strategy as well. This calls for a platform spread across the triad of aircraft, land-based rocket launchers and submarines. It also requires a formidably complex command and control mechanism that includes an array of satellite and electronic systems. This mechanism is aimed at preventing a rogue nuclear strike or plain error; it is also prohibitively expensive.Further, it implies a constant state of readiness for nuclear weaponry. It ignores the concept of "de-alerting" - of storing nuclear device and missile separately though in proximity so as to pre-empt any impetuous action. Ironically it was India that took the proposal for de-alerting to the UN in 1998.There are other grey areas too that could do with clarification. India's nuclear bomb was an indigenous achievement. Its deployment policy should similarly trust its instincts.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Aug 30, 1999 00:00 IST--- ENDS ---
