India's nuclear doctrine is based on the principles of

A. Aggressive use of nuclear powers
B. Credible minimum nuclear deterrence and "no First use"
C. Sharing the nuclear technologies with non-nuclear powers.
D. Opposition of policy of disarmament

Choose the correct answer form the options given below:

B only

The correct answer is Option 2 - B only

India's nuclear doctrine is defined by a restrained and defensive posture, characterized by two primary pillars:

• Credible Minimum Deterrence (CMD): This principle implies that India maintains a nuclear arsenal sufficient to deter any potential nuclear attack, but it does not engage in a nuclear arms race to build a massive stockpile. The focus is on the "credibility" of the response rather than the quantity of weapons.

• No First Use (NFU): India's policy explicitly states that it will not be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict. However, it maintains the right to a massive and devastating retaliatory strike if nuclear weapons are used against Indian territory or its forces anywhere. 

Other Options

• (A) Aggressive use: Incorrect. India’s posture is strictly retaliatory and defensive.

• (C) Sharing technologies: Incorrect. India adheres to strict non-proliferation standards and does not share nuclear weapon technology with non-nuclear states.

• (D) Opposition of disarmament: Incorrect. India has historically advocated for a nuclear-weapon-free world through global disarmament initiatives.

NCERT: India conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1998, demonstrating its capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes. Pakistan soon followed, thereby increasing the vulnerability of the region to a nuclear exchange. The international community was extremely critical of the nuclear tests in the subcontinent and sanctions were imposed on both India and Pakistan, which were subsequently waived. India’s nuclear doctrine of credible minimum nuclear deterrence professes “no first use” and reiterates India’s commitment to global, verifiable and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament leading to a nuclear weapons free world.