‘India is reluctant nuclear weapon state, committed to no first use policy,’ says Ex-PM Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said that that the present nuclear order is “coming under strain” and India is a "reluctant" nuclear weapon state. Singh said today’s “nuclear age is best described as an age of asymmetry, asymmetry in terms of doctrines, arsenals and technology”.

Speaking at the launch of a book by Rakesh Sood, of Observer Research Foundation's ''Nuclear Order in the Twenty-First Century'', written by former diplomat Rakesh Sood, Manmohan Singh said, "India is the only country that had an extensive and advanced peaceful nuclear programme before we were compelled to shift in response to security threats and the only one that exercised nearly a quarter century of restraint after having demonstrated its technical capability. This is why we decided to base our nuclear doctrine on a credible, minimum deterrent.”

He said there have also been changes in technology and it’s easier to acquire nuclear technology today. “This generates new proliferation risks and challenges,” said Singh. He added that “new uncertainties are being created, thanks to developments in Artificial Intelligence, and growing space and cyber vulnerabilities” and globally, leaders are “concerned that these lead to greater unpredictability and compress the timelines for decision making” which can lead to “unintended escalation, increasing the likelihood of a nuclear strike”.

Developments in artificial intelligence, growing space, and cyber vulnerabilities, have given rise to more uncertainties, Singh added.

"Many leaders are concerned that these lead to greater unpredictability and compress the timelines for decision making. It can lead to unintended escalation, increasing the likelihood of a nuclear strike, something the world has not seen since 1945. Multipolarity has become a reality in the global economy but the political structures have yet to overcome the inertia of outmoded thinking," Dr Singh said.

"Many countries are modernising their nuclear arsenals with tactical and low yield weapons, increasing the likelihood of their use. The goal of nuclear disarmament seems to be receding," he said.

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