World Affairs: The Journal of International Issues
Year : 2017, Volume : 21, Issue : 1
First page : ( 48) Last page : ( 66)
Print ISSN : 0971-8052. Online ISSN : 0974-0937.

The false promise of nuclear weapons: Great power or subordinate ally?

Sharma Shubham

Online published on 4 May, 2017.

Abstract

Since the Second World War, nuclear weapons have been critical assets for the affirmation and projection of national power. The end of the Cold War raised the profile of second and third tier nuclear states as well as of those aspiring to acquire such weapons. Although India has been a de facto member of the nuclear club since 1998, this has only heightened the security challenge posed by Pakistan which has also acquired a nuclear offensive force while carrying out asymmetric warfare, thereby making Indian full scale retaliation risky. By partly accommodating India's strategic ambitions, the US has bound New Delhi in a partnership directed mainly against China and Iran hoping also to conquer the vast Indian market for American goods and services. Moreover India is still blocked from joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group and has sacrificed some strategic autonomy to satisfy Washington's requirements while remaining vulnerable to Pakistani and Chinese hostility. On balance the pursuit of a nuclear deterrent has brought more losses than gains.

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