One year after conducting multiple nuclear tests, India has still to resolve the mechanics of being a nuclear weapon state.
The country is still debating the command and control system for its stated policy of establishing a minimum nuclear deterrence, coupled with no first use of nuclear weapons.
In the diplomatic field, India has had eight inconclusive rounds of nuclear talks with the United States on signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
On May 11th and 13th last year, India conducted five underground tests in the western Rajasthan desert and test-fired a locally developed intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) to a range of 2,000 km. Indian defence scientists said the IRBM tested last month was designed to carry a nuclear warhead following last year's tests. Defence planners said their IRBM, Agni II, and a range of locally developed surface-to-surface missiles, would form the basis of India's nuclear deterrent against the neighbouring nuclear weapon states of Pakistan and China.
India has fought one war with China and three with Pakistan since independence 52 years ago and there are tensions with both over unresolved territorial disputes.
India also accuses China of providing Pakistan with components for its nuclear and missile programmes. This claim is denied.
India recently declared it would build a small but "credible" nuclear deterrent; reject a moratorium on fissile material production necessary for building weapons of mass destruction; and accept no restrictions on its military research and development programmes, especially missiles.
The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, told parliament recently that India's nuclear policy was a "sovereign function and not subject for negotiation".
Mr Vajpayee reiterated India's willingness to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) if the five nuclear weapon states - Britain, China, France, Russia and the US - adhered to the treaty. He said the "creation of a positive environment by India's negotiating partners" was a necessary ingredient for a positive outcome to the negotiations.
Mr Vajpayee also restated India's readiness to work towards the successful conclusion of the Fissile Materials Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), negotiations for which are continuing in Geneva, but rejected US demands that Delhi cease production of nuclear material.
Meanwhile, a proposal by India's military on managing the nuclear command and control structure has recommended a symbiosis between the political leadership and those directly involved with military operations. Options for India - Formation of a Strategic Nuclear Command, by the Planning Directorate and approved by the three defence services, recommends setting up a command authority to be responsible for deciding on using nuclear weapons and their transfer to the military through a multi-service body.
The policy paper that was submitted recently to the government stated all nuclear weaponry must be controlled by the top political leadership along with senior military officials and experts, supported by military personnel trained in handling them.
