A Nuclear Strategy for India

This topical, and important book comes at a time when India's position on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) has aroused controversy in international undergoing significant changes, and when the world is taking rapid technological strides.

Perhaps the first effort to articulate a coherent nuclear strategy for India, the book begins by providing a framework that rests on a theory of international relations in which the use of force is postulated. Admiral Menon then discusses the experience of Western countries in acquiring tactical nuclear weapons and Indian criticisms of Western nuclear doctrines. This is followed by a discussion of India's journey to acquiring nuclear weapons which presents, for the first time, a coordinated analysis of the roles played by the military, the scientific establishment and diplomats combined with the technological and economic dimensions.

The next two chapters are devoted to strategy. The author introduces quantitative analysis into the nuclear debate as also discusses the little understood phenomenon of the technological pressures which influence the decision to introduce newer weapons. Admiral Menon describes India's arsenal and the rationale behind it and outlines deterrence theory. The book ends by locating India's nuclear strategy in the international environment in the light of the 1998 nuclear test.

This valuable and timely book, will numerous first to its credit, will interest all those interested in the nuclear debate, strategic and military studies, international relations, science and technology studies, and contemporary Indian politics and diplomacy.

About the Author:

Rear Admiral Raja Menon retired in 1994 as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) in which job he was responsible for formulating strategy. He is a visiting lecturer at India's foreign Service Training Institute, at the Defence Service Staff College, the Naval Higher Command Course and the National Defence College.