ABSTRACT
As India intends to complete its ambitious deterrent force projects, such as the development of a Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs), nuclear-powered submarines, aircraft carriers, and a number of nuclear reactors as part of its would-be modified Draft Nuclear Doctrine (DND), it is important to analyze whether or not India’s shift in its deterrent force posture, including ambitious deterrent force projects, remains consistent with the minimum deterrence that India earlier conceptualized. While conceptualizing the rationale of India’s evolving nuclear strategy under the conceptual essentials of minimum deterrence, followed by the limitations to, and the challenges of, India’s ambitious deterrence force posture, this chapter concludes that if India continues to successfully develop these mega deterrent force projects bolstered by sophisticated delivery systems, then it may not remain consistent with its broader nuclear policy of minimum deterrence that it conceptualized in its earlier nuclear drafts.
