KKN Gurugram Desk | While neighboring Pakistan maintains a First Use Policy when it comes to nuclear weapons, India’s approach to nuclear warfare is fundamentally different. Rooted in the principle of “No First Use” (NFU), India has consistently upheld a nuclear doctrine that reflects restraint, responsibility, and strategic deterrence.

Unlike some nuclear-armed states that leave room for preemptive strikes, India has pledged not to use nuclear weapons unless it is first attacked by an adversary using such weapons. This policy has become a cornerstone of India’s nuclear posture and has helped shape its international identity as a responsible nuclear power.

What Is the No First Use (NFU) Policy?

India’s No First Use doctrine asserts that India will not be the first to initiate a nuclear strike, but it retains the right to retaliate massively in case it is attacked with nuclear weapons.

The NFU policy was formally adopted as part of India’s nuclear doctrine in 1999, following its nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1998. The policy was reaffirmed in 2003, with an added clause that India reserves the right to retaliate with nuclear weapons in response to major biological or chemical attacks.

India vs Pakistan: Contrasting Nuclear Doctrines

India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, follow sharply different policies regarding the use of nuclear weapons.

• India follows the No First Use policy, emphasizing nuclear deterrence only in retaliatory defense.

• Pakistan, on the other hand, has a First Use policy, which means it reserves the right to use nuclear weapons preemptively, even in response to a conventional military threat.

This distinction is vital for understanding the nuclear stability of South Asia, a region that has witnessed multiple military standoffs and skirmishes over the past two decades.

Why India Embraced the NFU Doctrine

India’s nuclear policy was crafted with strategic maturity and rooted in its long-standing tradition of non-aggression and responsible state behavior.

The key objectives of the NFU policy are:

1. Deterrence with Morality: India believes nuclear weapons are only for deterrence, not war-fighting.

2. Avoiding Escalation: By pledging not to use nuclear weapons first, India aims to minimize chances of escalating conflicts into nuclear wars.

3. Maintaining Strategic Credibility: NFU enhances India’s global diplomatic position as a rational actor in the nuclear domain.

4. Influencing International Norms: India seeks to set an example for other nuclear states by promoting restraint.

India’s International Position: Outside the NPT but Morally Strong

India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), arguing that the treaty is discriminatory, recognizing only five nuclear-armed states and denying others the same status.

Despite this, India has earned global respect for its clean non-proliferation record, strict export controls, and its commitment to global nuclear disarmament. Its NFU policy is viewed internationally as a voluntary constraint, signaling that India is not an irresponsible nuclear actor.

Has India Ever Reconsidered Its NFU Policy?

Over the years, especially after terror attacks and border skirmishes, there have been domestic voices within India suggesting a review of the NFU stance.

In 2019, former Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hinted that India’s commitment to NFU “depends on circumstances”, stirring public and international debate. However, no official change has been made to the doctrine since then.

India’s official policy remains NFU, and successive governments have continued to support this doctrine, reinforcing its credibility.

Legal and Doctrinal Foundations of India’s Nuclear Policy

India’s nuclear doctrine was initially summarized in 1999 and formally codified in January 2003. The main points include:

• Credible Minimum Deterrence: India will maintain a minimum number of nuclear weapons needed for effective deterrence.

• No First Use: India will not initiate a nuclear strike.

• Massive Retaliation: Any nuclear attack on India will invite a massive and punitive nuclear retaliation.

• Non-use against Non-Nuclear States: India will not use nuclear weapons against states that do not possess them.

This structured approach to nuclear policy ensures clarity, transparency, and strategic predictability.

NFU Policy and India’s Defense Strategy

India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) is tasked with the operational control of nuclear weapons. It operates under the guidance of the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA), headed by the Prime Minister of India.

India’s military planning and defense preparedness are built around the assumption that nuclear weapons are not tools of war but instruments of deterrence.

In wartime scenarios, conventional military might, cyber capabilities, and missile defense are prioritized before any consideration of nuclear response, underlining India’s graduated escalation philosophy.

The Role of No First Use in Global Nuclear Discourse

Globally, India’s NFU policy has earned admiration from nuclear policy analysts and strategic thinkers. It is often contrasted with doctrines like:

• The United States’ policy, which does not rule out First Use.

• Russia’s policy, which allows First Use in conventional defeat scenarios.

• North Korea’s ambiguous stance, often seen as aggressive and unpredictable.

India’s adherence to NFU sets an example for responsible nuclear statecraft, even as international security dynamics grow more complex.

NFU in the Context of Modern Warfare and Technology

In the era of advanced missile technology, AI-driven warfare, and cyber threats, there are questions about whether the NFU doctrine remains strategically viable.

Some critics argue that India’s doctrine might limit its strategic flexibility in responding to new-age threats like drone swarms or biological warfare. However, proponents of NFU argue that any shift could weaken deterrence credibility and spark a regional arms race.

Hence, any revision in India’s doctrine, if ever considered, would require comprehensive policy, military, and diplomatic evaluation.

How NFU Strengthens India’s Diplomatic Leverage

India’s NFU policy contributes significantly to its image as a peace-loving, rules-based democracy. It supports India’s case for:

• Entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)

• Greater say in United Nations Security Council reform

• Partnerships in civilian nuclear energy deals (e.g., with the U.S., France, Russia)

Countries view India’s strategic restraint positively, enhancing its soft power and reinforcing its status as a stable regional leader.

India’s commitment to a No First Use nuclear policy is not a sign of military passivity, but rather a deliberate and strategic decision to act as a responsible nuclear power.

As global geopolitical dynamics evolve, India continues to balance military modernization with ethical restraint, ensuring that its policies reflect both national security imperatives and international peace values.

While debates may continue, the NFU doctrine remains a cornerstone of India’s strategic identity — signaling strength through stability, deterrence through discipline, and power through principled statecraft.