The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing atomic bomb survivors, for their unwavering dedication to nuclear disarmament. This recognition comes amidst a concerning resurgence of nuclear threats globally, highlighting the urgent need for a world free from these devastating weapons.
Amidst the election season, Prime Minister Modi has criticized the INDIA bloc’s call for nuclear disarmament, citing concerns about national security. However, a deeper examination of the CPI-M’s manifesto and India’s official disarmament policy reveals a more nuanced picture. The CPI-M advocates for universal nuclear disarmament through international cooperation, not unilateral disarmament. India has long maintained a commitment to a speedy process of nuclear disarmament, as stated by various Prime Ministers and its Permanent Mission to the UN. While India’s nuclear program initially aimed to deter adversaries, its strategy shifted after Pakistan’s nuclear weapons development. While Rajiv Gandhi proposed an Action Plan for nuclear disarmament in 1988, it gained no traction, leading to India’s nuclear tests in 1998.
