The Pursuit of Nuclear Autarky

Abstract

The preceding chapter documented the state of ‘quasi-alliance’ between India and the Soviet Union in their military relations. Nevertheless, it was argued, even the military relationship cannot be regarded as a patron-client bond. The depth and full scope of the Indo-Soviet relationship will become clearer in the next chapter, when we look at the economic interactions between the two countries. A discussion of India’s nuclear programme helps to link the military and economic relations between India and the Soviet Union, since India has consistently justified its long-established programme of developing nuclear power technology by reference to its developmental benefits.

I am telling you in straightforward terms: an Indian planner should assume that Pakistan has a certain nuclear-weapon capability, and similarly any prudent Pakistani military planner ought to assume that India has got a certain nuclear-weapon capability. And plan on that basis.

—Former Indian Army chief General K. Sundarji^l