60. Indian Nuclear Missile Policy

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Emporium Current Essays Emporium Current Essays 251 i*^*^^^™^^^^^^^^^ responsible for technology transfers to India in the fields'-of satellite launching vehicles and guidance system. India's integrated guided missile development programme includes short (Prithvi) and medium-range (Agm-IRBM) projects. Jndia successfully tested an advanced version of Prithvi on January 28, 1996. Prithvi 2 has a range of 25(5 KM. Agni, which is an intermediate range missile, was first tested in 1992 «hen it recorded a range of 9^0 mifes. A more advanced version of Agni is expected to-juree a range of.l,S30 miles. Launched from Cochin in SouthWest India, the Agni could reach the US Naval Base at Deigo Garcia^ Hi->fee -Southern Indian Ocean. Launched from Kutch it could rcadfTBasra, Riyadh and Tehran. From Delhi, Kazakhstan, from Appaphat ;P/ardeslv Beijing and from Madras, Bangkok and Sumatra. ...,.,, In-addi^iofl' to the above India, as a purt of its Integrated Guided Missile^ro^gramme, is conducting research programmes for '•'ddarSteflimV ~ ftitttf-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). Successful d0ftl^fw?nt''bf"the polar satellite launch vehicle for its space :-{>fOj£iwnlli^ would :giye India a rocket capability powerful enough , fac a^i .I£B.,M, making targets in the-Unked States reachable. It is understood that Russia is providing technology information to India in this respect and that US has cautioned Russia to refrain. All these missiles are nuclear payload carrying vehicles and are part of nuclear weapon system. The increase in India's military reach should make the rest of the world take a serious note of the inherent dangers. In any case the Islamic world should consider its. serious implications and work out a common response to the challenge. The introduction of sophisticated missiles particularly their deployment against Pakistan, will increase tension between Pakistan and India. Pakistan would, therefore, be justified in making an appropriate response to safeguard its security interests.

An mentioned earlier, missile programme of India is part of its nuclear weapon system. Now we receive information through the US sources that India intends to carry out second nuclear test at Pokhran and as reported, preparations include installation of drilling rig, construction of observation and diagnostic, posts, movement of heavy equipment and evacuation of civil population from the area. In addition, the statement of Mr. Narasimha Rao, former Prime Minister of India, that India will not give up its nuclear option, leave little room for doubt. Possible reasons for India's aggressive nuclear policy could be its ambition to gain a world power status, secure a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and to circumvent the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996 after which nuclear test will be banned. Also the reason of the new nuclear test could be the refinement of India's auclear capability before the door closes. But then India seems to have no intention of signing the CTBT. India's plea that its nuclear policy Is international in character and that it should not disturb the regional countries, docs not seem convincing. The region particularly Pakistan, is affected by India's awesome build-up of armed forces, supported by ballistic missiles and nuclear programme. It is not the danger of actual war alone but also the fact that it signifies military power in international diplomacy to define and shape relations with regional states. India must understand the difference between 1974 and now. In 1974, Pakistan could only respond politically. Now the case is different, in that Pakistan's response may not be restricted to political field only. If India does want to play a meaningful role in international and regional affairs, it should rely on conflict free relations with other countries of South Asia. India has differences with Pakistan over Kashmir, with Bangladesh over river water, with Sri Lanka* 252 Emporium Current Essays over Tamil issue, with Nepal over nuclear-free zone and with Bhutan over degree of independence. The dispute between Pakistan and India over Kashmir is potentially more dangerous as it involves the prospects of use of weapons of mass destruction. The persistent animosity and tension make India-Pakistan relations worse than ever. Let us accept the fact that the most immediate threat to peace in South Asia is the issue of Kashmir. The real danger to security in South Asia is from poverty, overpopulation, ethnic and religious conflicts and natural disasters. Unless an environment in which the region

attains meaningful economic growth, reduces poverty, consolidates and develops democratic culture and limits population growth'is created, not only will its spell danger to the region but will also have dangerous implications for the world as a whole. Let India ponder over its policy. For a strategy to ameliorate the suffering of one-fifth of humanity in South Asia of which a large majority are Indians, the option is clearly economic and human development and not military build-up. •