The Hindu : Nuclear Command Authority comes into being

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 05, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

Nuclear Command Authority comes into being

By C. Raja Mohan

NEW DELHI Jan. 4. More than four-and-a-half years after declaring itself a nuclear weapon power, India today made public a set of political principles and administrative arrangements to manage its arsenal of atomic weapons.

Maximum restraint in the use of nuclear weapons, absolute political control over decision-making and an effective interface between civilian and military leaders in the management of its atomic quiver are at the heart of an announcement by the Government after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

The CCS met today to review progress in implementing India's nuclear doctrine, the state of readiness of its strategic forces and the procedures for their command and control.

The significance of the CCS statement lies in the Government's decision to share information on some key aspects of its nuclear weapons management with the Indian public and the world. Although the broad outline of India's nuclear doctrine was known for a while, the nature of its command and control over the atomic arsenal had remained unclear.

The Government filled that gap today by revealing that a two-layered structure, called the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA), was responsible for the management of its weapons. The NCA comprised a Political Council and an Executive Council. The Political Council was chaired by the Prime Minister and "is the sole body which can authorise the use of nuclear weapons", the CCS said. The Executive Council, chaired by the National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister, "provides inputs for decision making by the NCA and executes the directives given to it by the Political Council".

The CCS also approved the appointment of a "Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command", who would be responsible for the administration of the nuclear forces. A senior officer of the Air Force is expected to be nominated to the post. Taken together, these administrative arrangements form the crucial link between the civilian and military leadership on nuclear decisions and their execution.

Expressing "satisfaction with the overall preparedness" of its arsenal, the CCS reiterated the decision to limit India's capability to a "credible minimum deterrent" and the commitment to use nuclear weapons only in retaliation. India also reaffirmed that it would not use the weapons against non-nuclear weapon powers. Against nuclear weapon powers, its strategy would remain one of "No-first use".

While India has consciously chosen not to use nuclear weapons first, it warned potential adversaries that the "nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage". It also emphasised strict control over the export of sensitive technologies and materials, readiness to join multilateral arms control agreements, continued observance of the moratorium on tests and a commitment to global disarmament.

This broad framework was affirmed in the draft nuclear doctrine prepared by the National Security Advisory Board set up after the May 1998 tests. The draft doctrine was released by the NSAB in August 1999. Today's announcement confirmed the essence of that draft as official policy. The only new element in the doctrine is the interesting caveat it has introduced to its "No-first use" posture. India said its arsenal aimed to deter threats not just from nuclear weapons but also those from chemical and biological weapons. "In the event of a major attack against India, or Indian forces anywhere, by biological or chemical weapons, India will retain the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons," the CCS said.

The United States has retained a similar option to prevent nations with chemical and biological weapons from assuming that the use of these weapons of mass destruction will not invite a nuclear response.

The CCS, however, does not tell all. Missing from its statement is the actual composition of the NCA at its Political and Executive levels. The Government also mentions that it has "reviewed and approved the arrangements for alternate chains of command for retaliatory nuclear strikes in all eventualities". This is a reference to a situation in which the Prime Minister may be incapacitated during a crisis. But the CCS did not reveal how the power to press the nuclear button will move down the political chain in the event of such a contingency.

HIGHLIGHTS

Building and maintaining a credible minimum deterrent;

A posture of "no-first use" ;

Retaliatory attacks can only be authorised by the civilian political leadership through the NCA;

Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states;

In the event of a major attack against India or Indian forces anywhere, by biological or chemical weapons, India will retain the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons;

A continuance of controls on export of nuclear and missile-related materials and technologies, participation in the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty negotiations, and observance of the moratorium on nuclear tests.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

Nuclear Command Authority comes into being

Kalam calls for global space force to protect satellites

CBI will probe killings, says Rabri Devi

Phukan to head Tehelka panel

Hindutva will remain BJP's main plank in polls

Pak., U.S. troops clash

Lashkar warns liquor dealers

Shootout in Delhi