Indian Unsafeguarded Nuclear Program: An Assessment

摘要

The contemporary pattern of non-proliferation politics and its South Asian direction has generated a debate on the growing Indian nuclear program along with New Delhi's desire to secure full membership of Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG). In 2005, a state visit of the US to India added a new dimension in the South Asian arms race by acknowledging India's so-called responsible nuclear behaviour while declaring Washington's full support to New Delhi's exception entry into the group of 48-nation NSG. The extension of NSG by including a 49*n member will, no doubt, enhance the scope of global non - proliferation regime, but a criteria-less and India-specific approach based on bilateral strategic commitments between New Delhi and Washington has raised serious questions on the legitimacy, universality and credibility of the international non-proliferation efforts. Potentially undermining the efforts of global non-proliferation campaign under a state - specific exemption has hampered the chances of peace, security and stability between neighbouring nuclear rivals of South Asia. Therefore, the discussion on NSG's extension towards South Asia generally, and positively viewing New Delhi's candidacy in enhancing the scope of international supplier group specifically, diverted the attention of the international community towards South Asian strategic equilibrium which will have an adverse impact on Indo-Pak arms competition ultimately.