Challenges to India's Nuclear Doctrine 

A discussion with
Vijay Shankar 
Vice Admiral, Navy (ret.)
Government of India 

Moderated by
Huma Haque 
Associate Director, South Asia Center 
Atlantic Council

India’s nuclear policy faces significant challenges from the opacity of Pakistan’s strategic nuclear thinking and its development of tactical nuclear weapons. The combustible mixture of these factors has not only made it prickly for India to find coherence in its long-term policies, but it has also increased the threat of a nuclear standoff between the two countries. The status-quo is unacceptable for India because Pakistan upholds an ambiguous nuclear doctrine that could have perilous effects if India were to retaliate against an attack on Indian soil. Critics of India’s No First Use policy argue that it abrogates the duty of the state to protect its citizens by leaving them vulnerable to a first strike. Can India find a way to strengthen its long-term security without risking nuclear escalation? Please join the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center for a discussion with Vice Admiral Vijay Shankar PVSM on India’s nuclear doctrine and the challenges that it will face in the future.

DATE:           Wednesday, September 3, 2014

TIME:            9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

LOCATION:   Atlantic Council 
                  1030 15th St. NW, 12th Floor 
                  Washington, DC 20005

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