India and Nuclear Asia: Forces, Doctrine, and Dangers (South Asia in World Affairs)

India's nuclear profile, doctrine, and practices have evolved rapidly since the country’s nuclear breakout in 1998. However, the outside world's understanding of India's doctrinal debates, forward-looking strategy, and technical developments are still two decades behind the present. India and Nuclear Asia will fill that gap in our knowledge by focusing on the post-1998 evolution of Indian nuclear thought, its arsenal, the triangular rivalry with Pakistan and China, and New Delhi's nonproliferation policy approaches. Yogesh Joshi and Frank O'Donnell show how India's nuclear trajectory has evolved in response to domestic, regional, and global drivers. The authors argue that emerging trends in all three states are elevating risks of regional inadvertent and accidental escalation. These include the forthcoming launch of naval nuclear forces within an environment of contested maritime boundaries; the growing employment of dual-use delivery vehicles; and the emerging preferences of all three states to employ missiles early in a conflict. These dangers are amplified by the near-absence of substantive nuclear dialogue between these states, and the growing ambiguity of regional strategic intentions. Based on primary-source research and interviews, this book will be important reading for scholars and students of nuclear deterrence and India's international relations, as well as for military, defense contractor, and policy audiences both within and outside South Asia. India's nuclear profile, doctrine, and practices have evolved rapidly since the country's nuclear breakout in 1998. However, the outside world's understanding of India's doctrinal debates, forward-looking strategy, and technical developments are still two decades behind the present. This book will fill that gap in our knowledge by focusing on the post-1998 evolution of Indian nuclear thought, its arsenal, the triangular rivalry with Pakistan and China, and New Delhi's nonproliferation policy approaches. Joshi and O'Donnell show how India's nuclear trajectory has evolved in response to domestic, regional, and global drivers. The book argues that doctrinal and posturing developments in India, China, and Pakistan are elevating inadvertent and accidental escalation risks. As nuclear South Asia continues to attract global concern, this book provides an indispensable and timely guide to its challenges and offers potential solutions to them. Based on primary-source research and interviews, this book will be important reading for scholars and students of India's international relations and security as well as for military, defense contractor, and policy audiences outside of India Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Tables Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction 1. Two Decades of Indian Nuclear Force Development: The Emerging Posture and Looming Decision Points 2. Pakistan’s Nuclear Thought and Posture: Implications for India 3. China’s Nuclear Thought and Posture: Implications for India 4. The Doctrinal Background: Nuclear Deterrence in Indian Strategic Thought, 1964–2003 5. New Challenges for Indian Nuclear Doctrine: The Doctrinal Debate, 2003–Present 6. Indian Nonproliferation Policy: Approaches and Challenges in the Twenty-First Century Conclusion Selected Bibliography Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X Z About the Authors India and Nuclear Asia will fill a gap in the outside world's knowledge by focusing on the post-1998 evolution of Indian nuclear thought, its arsenal, its rivalry with Pakistan and China, and New Delhi's nonproliferation policy, and by showing how India's nuclear trajectory has evolved in response to domestic, regional, and global drivers