During election season, political parties may manipulate facts and interpretations. This appears to have occurred when Prime Minister Modi criticized the INDIA bloc for advocating nuclear disarmament, equating it with unilateral disarmament and jeopardizing national security. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh echoed this, questioning the CPI-M’s intentions and labeling it a conspiracy to weaken the country.
However, the CPI-M’s manifesto calls for “complete elimination of nuclear weapons” through cooperation with the UN, not unilateral disarmament. The government’s official policy, stated by the Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, supports general and complete disarmament. Even Defense Minister Singh, in a conversation with Russian Defense Minister Shoigu, emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy and opposed the use of nuclear or radiological weapons.
Historically, India’s nuclear program aimed to deter adversaries. However, after Pakistan’s nuclear development, India’s strategy shifted. Despite an Action Plan for disarmament proposed by Rajiv Gandhi in 1988, India conducted nuclear tests in 1998 after it gained no traction. Prime Ministers, including Modi, have consistently called for universal disarmament, as seen in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.
Thus, while nuclear disarmament is a complex issue, it’s essential to consider the nuanced positions of both the CPI-M and the government. India remains committed to disarmament but also recognizes the need to ensure national security.
