No First Use Policy: India’s Bold Step Towards a Safer Nuclear Future

India, one of the few declared nuclear states to adopt a “No First Use” (NFU) policy, maintains that nuclear weapons serve strictly as a deterrent and will only be deployed in retaliatory response to a nuclear attack. This policy, introduced post-1998 Pokhran tests, underpins India’s responsible nuclear status on the global stage.

India advocates for universal acceptance of NFU as a treaty pledge by all nuclear weapons states to enhance strategic stability, prevent accidental or preemptive strikes, and mitigate global nuclear threat. India's stance aligns with its consistent calls at the United Nations for comprehensive nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

However, global ambiguity and evolving geopolitical tensions challenge the NFU paradigm, emphasizing the need for formalising NFU commitments legally to create mutual trust and reliable deterrence.

Key Highlights:

India’s NFU doctrine pledges retaliation only, no initiation of nuclear strike.

NFU is integral to India’s nuclear deterrence and strategic stability policy.

India calls for NFU adoption as a universal treaty by all nuclear states.

Formal treaty NFU can help reduce accidental or preemptive nuclear conflict risks.

NFU complements India’s larger vision for global nuclear disarmament.

Challenges include geopolitical shifts and inconsistent international nuclear postures.

Strengthening NFU through treaties could build critical international trust.

Sources: Wikipedia, Ministry of External Affairs (UN), Indian Express, Drishti IAS