2022-07-26 13:04:33
The nuclear response: This is an Editorial article by C Raja Mohan. In this article the author dissects the recently released report “**Asian nuclear transitions by Ashley Tellis”.** The report talks about the dilemma faced by both Japan and India in the wake of the growing Chinese nuclear arsenal, which is poised to reach 1000 warheads by 2030. And Xi Jinping’s China has taken a more muscular approach to its territorial disputes, including with India and Japan.
The real issue is not the gap between the disarmament rhetoric and the importance of nuclear weapons for the security of India and Japan. It is the problem presented by the expanding Chinese nuclear arsenal and its growing sophistication. Locked in a confrontation with the US, China is determined to raise its nuclear profile.
- Tellis also calls on the US to revise its attitudes to India’s nuclear weapons programme.
- He suggests that the US should be prepared to facilitate India’s development of more sophisticated nuclear warheads as well as improve the survivability of the Indian deterrent against the expanding Chinese nuclear arsenal.
- The “INFRUS” agreement—between India, France and the US—would be even more ambitious than “AUKUS” in which the US and UK have agreed to help Australia build nuclear powered submarines (SSN). Unlike Australia, India is a nuclear weapon state.
- Tellis warns that Delhi and Washington will have to respond, sooner than later, to the dramatic changes in the global environment triggered by the rise and assertion of China.
While Japan's priority is to transform its conventional forces, India might need to consider both conventional and nuclear modernisation
12.3K views10:04
I
