NEW DELHI: Noting that the threat from nuclear weapons has once again occupied centerstage in the geopolitical landscape, chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday said that the “uniqueness” of India’s nuclear trajectory is premised on the principle of “no first-use and massive retaliation”.
There is an urgent need for “a deeper thought, development of new doctrines, reimagining deterrence and safeguarding nuclear C4I2SR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, information, surveillance and reconnaissance) infrastructure”, he said while addressing a seminar here on ‘Nuclear Strategy: Contemporary Developments and Future Possibilities’.
Delivering the keynote address on ‘Nuclear Strategy: Contemporary Developments and Future Possibilities’ at a seminar here, Gen Chauhan also highlighted the changing nature and characteristics of conventional warfare.
The speech comes soon after the latest assessment by the Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI) on June 17 held that China was boosting its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country around the globe. China now has 500 warheads, up from 410 in January 2023, while India has 172 and Pakistan 170, as per SIPRI.
India even retains the option to retaliate with nuclear weapons if its forces “anywhere” are attacked with biological or chemical weapons, as per the doctrine.