Publication

This brief discusses India's nuclear deterrence policy arguing that the country needs to rethink the policy and adopt a more minimalist approach. The author first argues that Indian theorizing about the requirements of deterrence, including the need for a second strike capability, rests on an acceptance of US thinking on the topic. He then analyzes Patrick Blackett's work on deterrence, which maintains that minimum deterrence is enough, before contending that Indian policymakers should bring the country's nuclear deterrence policy in line with this approach.