Book discussion | Indian Nuclear Policy

India’s first Prime, Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, laid the foundations of an elaborate atomic energy program in 1948, just a year after India’s independence. Yet, it took Indian decision-makers more than 50 years to declare the country a nuclear-weapon state in May 1998. Once India crossed the nuclear rubicon, it has managed to transform itself into a major nuclear power.

This short introduction provides a clear and succinct account of the evolution of Indian nuclear policy over seven decades since Independence. Situating India’s nuclear behaviour in its quest for global status, demands of national security, vagaries of domestic politics and the idiosyncrasies of the individuals who led its nuclear programme, it explains how India’s engagement with the atom is unique in international nuclear history and politics.
Speakers
Lalit Mansingh, Former Foreign Secretary of India
Rakesh Sood, Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation
Harsh V. Pant , Director of Studies, and Head Strategic Studies, ORF
Yogesh Joshi, Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow CISAC, Stanford University
Shivangi Sharma, Oxford University Press

[harikesava]

Hey although we really appreciate this talk, it looks like the book would cost 330 india rupees. Combined with other important Short Introduction series books it becomes really costly for the Indian Middle class to afford. With poor public libraries it becomes difficult for such well written and researched books to reach the general audience. As an aspirant for Civil Services I find it extremely annoying to settle for Coaching Class material for such important topics. As a student fom the middle class background it becomes difficult to do any kind of research without understanding the fundamental basics, if the aim of these books is to help the public understand the fundamentals i believe that it is failing to achieve its objective.

I hope in future there is an easier access to these books, through which both the writer and the reader can gain some satisfaction.

[amanpasha]

"Peaceful nuclear explosion"