Understanding the India-Pakistan Nuclear Doctrines

India–Pakistan Nuclear Doctrines: Key Differences

1. Core Philosophy

India: Maintains a No First Use (NFU) policy — nuclear weapons would only be used in retaliation to a nuclear attack on India or Indian forces anywhere.

Pakistan: Adopts a First Use posture, reserving the right to use nuclear weapons first if it perceives an existential threat from India, including in response to large-scale conventional attacks.

2. Objectives

India: Views nuclear weapons primarily as a tool of deterrence, pursuing a policy of credible minimum deterrence to prevent coercion or aggression.

Pakistan: Sees nuclear arms as an equalizer to offset India’s conventional superiority, adopting a doctrine of full-spectrum deterrence (strategic, operational and tactical levels).

3. Retaliation Strategy

India: Commits to massive retaliation to inflict unacceptable damage if struck by nuclear weapons, irrespective of the weapon’s yield or target.

Pakistan: Maintains an ambiguous retaliation posture to keep adversaries uncertain about the scale and form of response, including possible early battlefield use.

4. Arsenal and Delivery

India: Emphasises a survivable second-strike capability through a growing nuclear triad — land-based missiles, aircraft, and nuclear-capable submarines.

Pakistan: Prioritises a mix of strategic missiles and tactical nuclear weapons (for example, the short-range Nasr) intended to deter conventional incursions.

5. Command and Control

India: Operates a civilian-led Nuclear Command Authority with centralized launch authority and institutional separation between political and military roles.

Pakistan: Runs a National Command Authority where military influence is strong, reflecting the armed forces’ dominant role in security policy.

6. Signalling and Transparency

India: Publishes its doctrine (2003) and stresses restraint, though occasional statements have introduced some ambiguity about NFU being “circumstance-dependent.”

Pakistan: Lacks a single formal published doctrine; it signals intent through official statements, exercises and missile tests.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does India follow NFU?
   To present itself as a responsible nuclear power, reduce risks of miscalculation, and retain international moral high ground.

2. Why does Pakistan reject NFU?
   Pakistan argues NFU would embolden India’s conventional advantage and weaken deterrence, so it retains first-use options to preserve credibility.

3. Has India ever hinted at changing NFU?
   Some senior officials have referred to “circumstance-based” flexibility in public statements, but there has been no formal doctrinal change.

4. What is “full-spectrum deterrence” in Pakistan’s context?
   It denotes nuclear options across tactical, operational and strategic levels — enabling calibrated responses across the escalation ladder.

5. Which side currently has greater second-strike assurance?
   India’s expanding submarine fleet enhances its survivable second-strike capability relative to Pakistan, strengthening its deterrent credibility.