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PM to possess nuclear trigger

India's nuclear programme, based on credible minimum deterrence, should have the capacity to 'retaliate with sufficient weapons to inflict destruction' on the aggressor in case of a surprise attack, the 27-member National Security Advisory Board has said in its nuclear doctrine report.

India's nuclear forces, their command and control shall be designed and deployed in such a way as to ensure survival against a first strike and adequate retaliatory capability for a punishing second strike, the report says.

The draft report, a consensual document prepared by the board, was released today by National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra.

"Nuclear weapons shall be tightly controlled... The authority to release nuclear weapons for use resides in the person of the Prime Minister of India or the designated successor," the report says.

Mishra said India is committed to its vow never to be the first to use nuclear weapons, but developing a nuclear doctrine is necessary in view of the "nuclearised environment" around the country.

He, however, refused to name the countries that pose a threat to India and emphasised that the nuclear doctrine is not 'country-specific'.

The doctrine report says the efficacy of India's nuclear deterrent should be maximised through synergy among all elements involving reliability, timeliness, accuracy and weight of the attack.

"India's nuclear forces will be effective, enduring, diverse, flexible and responsive to the requirements in accordance with the concept of credible minimum deterrence. These forces will be based on a triad of aircraft, mobile land-based missiles and sea-based assets in keeping with the objective. Survivability of the force will be enhanced by a combination of multiple redundant systems, mobility, dispersion and deception."

The report also envisages an assured capability to shift from peacetime deployment to fully employable forces in the shortest possible time and the ability to retaliate effectively in case of significant degradation of the forces by hostile strikes.

The doctrine report emphasises the need for a sufficient, survivable and operationally prepared nuclear force with a robust command and control system. The system should have effective intelligence and early warning capabilities and comprehensive planning and training for operations in line with strategy.

"Highly effective conventional military capabilities shall be maintained to raise the threshold of outbreak both of conventional military conflict as well as that of threat or use of nuclear weapons."

The report points out that in this policy of 'retaliation only', the survivability of India's arsenal is critical. This is a dynamic concept related to the strategic environment, technological imperatives and need for national security.

"The actual size, components, deployment and employment of nuclear forces will be decided in the light of these factors," Mishra said.

The NSA board's report says the fundamental purpose of nuclear weapons is to deter the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons by any state or entity against India and its forces.

It says the requirements of deterrence should be carefully weighed in the design of the Indian nuclear forces and in the strategy to provide a level of capability consistent with maximum credibility, survivability, effectiveness, safety and security.

It outlines the broad principles for the development, deployment and employment of India's nuclear forces. Details of policy and strategy concerning force structure, deployment and employment of nuclear forces will flow from this framework and be laid down separately and kept under constant review.

The six-page doctrine report also pledges to take extraordinary precautions for security, safety and disaster control. It has envisaged the development of an appropriate disaster control system capable of handling potential incidents, involving nuclear weapons and materials.

In the field of research and development, the report proposes to step up efforts with technological advances in the field. It says India will not accept any restraint on building its research and development capability.

India will continue its efforts to achieve the goal of a nuclear weapons-free world at an early stage.

"Since no first use of nuclear weapons is India's basic commitment, every effort shall be made to persuade other states possessing nuclear weapons to join an international treaty banning first use," the report says.

K Subrahmanyam, convenor of the NSA Board, said the draft document was finalised with consensus among all members of the board though there were varying opinions on its various clauses.

A sense of responsibility will guide India's nuclear programme, he said.

Subrahmanyam also said a strategic defence review is under formulation by the board. But it will take some time since the people working on the review are part-time members.

UNI

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