DATE=7/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236142
TITLE=INDIA / NUCLEAR EXPERTS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: LEADING INDIAN DEFENSE EXPERTS SAY THE COUNTRY IS
UNLIKELY TO DEPLOY NUCLEAR WEAPONS. FROM NEW DELHI, ANJANA
PASRICHA REPORTS THEY DESCRIBE INDIA'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM AS AN
INSTRUMENT TO PREVENT INTIMIDATION.
TEXT: INFLUENTIAL DEFENSE EXPERTS SAY INDIA'S RECENTLY-TESTED
NUCLEAR CAPABILITY SHOULD NOT BE HANDED OVER TO THE ARMED FORCES,
BUT USED AS AN INSURANCE POLICY AGAINST THREAT TO THE NATION'S
SECURITY.
IN A RECENTLY-PUBLISHED BOOK, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW DELHI'S
INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE STUDIES AND ANALYSIS, JASJIT SINGH,
DESCRIBES THE EMERGING STRATEGY AS A DOCTRINE OF "RECESSED
DETERRENCE", THAT STAYS ONE STEP SHORT OF ASSEMBLING NUCLEAR
WEAPONS.
MR. SINGH IS AN INFLUENTIAL ADVISER ON NUCLEAR ISSUES FOR THE
INSTITUTE, WHICH IS A GOVERNMENT-FUNDED RESEARCH ORGANIZATION.
HE SAYS THE BOOK, "NUCLEAR INDIA" FAVORS A MINIMUM NUCLEAR
DETERRENT POSTURE RATHER THAN OVERT NUCLEAR STATUS.
// ACT 1 SINGH //
THE DELIVERY SYSTEMS SHOULD BE IN PLACE, WEAPONS SHOULD
BE IN PLACE, NOT NECESSARILY ASSEMBLED, AND COMMAND AND
CONTROL SYSTEMS MUST BE IN PLACE, BUT THE DEPLOYMENT AND
THE OPERATIONAL READINESS -- THAT SHOULD BE GUIDED BY
THE ACTUAL SECURITY SITUATION.
// END SINGH ACT //
MR. SINGH SAYS THE DOCTRINE RELIES ON THE THREAT OF RETALIATION
RATHER THAN STRIKE. HE SAYS INDIA DOES NOT NEED TO EMBARK ON A
COSTLY ARMS RACE, AND NEEDS THE CAPABILITY TO BUILD JUST TWO OR
THREE DOZEN WARHEADS WITHIN THE NEXT 15-YEARS.
/// OPT // ACT 2 SINGH ///
WE DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE THE TYPE OF MISTAKE THAT WERE
MADE BY THE TWO SUPERPOWERS. SECONDLY WE DO NOT EVEN
HAVE TO MOVE TO THE LEVEL OF MINIMUM DETERRENCE LIKE
CHINA'S. THE INTENTION HERE IS NOT TO GO INTO FIGHTING
NUCLEAR WARS, THE INTENTION HERE IS TO JUST MAKE SURE WE
ARE NOT THREATENED.
/// END ACT# // END OPT ///
ANOTHER STRATEGIC ANALYST, K. SUBRAHMANYAM, SAYS NEW DELHI SHOULD
SHOW RESTRAINT, SINCE IT HAS ESTABLISHED A DETERRENT. HE SAYS
THE COUNTRY'S NUCLEAR CAPABILITY IS NOT A MILITARY WEAPON, BUT A
POLITICAL INSTRUMENT, WHICH WILL PREVENT OTHERS FROM INTIMIDATING
INDIA.
/// INSERT SUBRAMANYAM ACT ///
INDIA SHOULD NOT DEPLOY THE WEAPONS IN THE FORWARD
(BORDER) AREAS, INDIA SHOULD NOT HAVE THE WEAPONS
ASSEMBLED AND KEPT ON ALERT. BUT WE SHOULD BE CAPABLE
OF DEPLOYING THEM WHEN IT BECOMES NECESSARY.
/// END ACT ///
MR. SUBRAMANYAM AND MR. SINGH ARE OFTEN CONSULTED BY INDIAN
POLICY-MAKERS, AND EACH EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE RECENT NUCLEAR
TESTS BY NEW DELHI. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
28-Jul-98 8:01 AM EDT (1201 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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