What About India's Nukes?

Don't Forget India's Nukes -- Jane Harman, L.A. Times

India has an explicitly stated no-first-use policy and is widely viewed as a U.S. security ally. But that doesn't mean we should turn a blind eye to India's actions.

"We urge all nuclear-capable states to exercise restraint regarding nuclear capabilities," a State Department spokesman said last month after India successfully blasted its new long-range Agni 5 missile into the Bay of Bengal. But he quickly softened the admonishment: "That said, India has a solid nonproliferation record."

Washington's oddly relaxed approach to India's nuclear program goes back to 2008, when Congress approved the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. Under it, India agreed to separate its military and civil nuclear facilities and to place the latter under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards in exchange for a U.S. guarantee to work toward full civil nuclear cooperation with New Delhi.

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My Comment: Unfortunately .... I do not see countries like North Korea or Iran following the Indian model.

In Response To China, India To Test New 5000-km Nuclear Missile

India To Test New 5000-km Nuclear Missile Within Year -- Reuters

NEW DELHI, Feb 10 (Reuters) - India aims to test a new nuclear-capable missile with a 5000-km (3,100-mile) range, a top military scientist said on Wednesday, a move that could complicate security in a volatile region.

The missile would effectively bring most of China within India's range, as well as more potential targets to the west and east than its existing weaponry.

"Agni-V is out of the drawing board. We are aiming for a flight trial within a year," V.K. Saraswat, India's chief military scientist told reporters.

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More News On India's Newest Long Range Nuclear Missile

India will test 5,000-km-range nuclear-capable missile -- AFP
DRDO raises the bar, sets its sights on 5,000-km Agni-V -- Hindu
India ready to testfire 5,000km range Agni-V within a year -- DNA India
5,000-km range Agni-V to be tested in a year: DRDO -- Sify News
India 'tests nuclear-capable missile' -- AFP
India missile ready for army use -- BBC
The China Solution (for India) -- Strategy Page

Is India Going To Break Its Nuclear Agreements?

Key Indian Figures Call for New Nuclear Tests Despite Deal With U.S. -- Washington Post

Scientists Break With Prime Minister Even as Test-Ban Effort Gains Steam.

NEW DELHI -- A little more than a year after India and the United States signed a historic civilian agreement lifting a 30-year ban on nuclear trade, some former top nuclear scientists here are arguing that India needs to conduct another weapons test.

The move would undoubtedly alarm nonproliferation advocates but would be needed for India to master the weapon and to ensure that it has a "credible nuclear deterrent" in its arsenal, according to two retired nuclear scientists.

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My Comment: The advocates for a resumption of nuclear testing are in the minority .... for now. But this may change radically if the situation in Pakistan becomes more unstable, or if neighboring countries like Iran start conducting nuclear tests.

India Raises Nuclear Stakes

(Click Image to Enlarge)

India's Nuclear Installations

From The Financial Times:

India can now build nuclear weapons with the same destructive power as those in the arsenals of the world’s major nuclear powers, according to New Delhi’s senior atomic officials.

They said India had built weapons with yields of up to 200 kilotons, which would be considered a “proper strategic deterrent” by the global community. A nuclear weapon above 50 kilotons is considered high yield. India’s enhanced capability gives it a considerable edge over Pakistan, its nuclear-armed arch-rival.

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My Comment: It seems that India is now looking at China when it comes to nuclear forces .... not Pakistan .... as the long term threat. Unfortunately, Pakistan will be seeing this as a threat directed against them, and will respond in kind.

Is there a possibility of an arms race in South West Asia .... from where I am standing it sounds like it just started.