Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security
5. Critically examine the reasons behind the India’s opposition to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT). Do you think it is time to revisit and redefine India’s credible minimum deterrence strategy of its nuclear doctrine? (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
An international conference to review the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty concluded at the United Nations in New York last week without a consensus document. Given the growing great power conflict today, that was not unexpected. Surprisingly, though, the NPT review elicited little interest in Delhi. India, one of the world’s nuclear weapon powers, ought to be paying a lot more attention to the international nuclear discourse that is acquiring new dimensions and taking a fresh look at its own civilian and military nuclear programmes.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the reasons for India’s opposition of NPT and if time is to redefine credible minimum deterrence.
Directive:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving the aims and objectives of NPT and context of its inception.
Body:
First, write about the reasons as to why India has not signed the NPT and objectively examine its stand.
Next, define credible minimum deterrence strategy of India’s nuclear doctrine. Write about the reasons behind its place. Write if there is a needed to revisit the strategy given the geopolitical compulsions of the age.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a balanced opinion regarding revisiting credible minimum deterrence strategy.
