DATE=7/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236142
TITLE=INDIA / NUCLEAR EXPERTS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  LEADING INDIAN DEFENSE EXPERTS SAY THE COUNTRY IS 
UNLIKELY TO DEPLOY NUCLEAR WEAPONS.  FROM NEW DELHI, ANJANA 
PASRICHA REPORTS THEY DESCRIBE INDIA'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM AS AN 
INSTRUMENT TO PREVENT INTIMIDATION.

TEXT:  INFLUENTIAL DEFENSE EXPERTS SAY INDIA'S RECENTLY-TESTED 
NUCLEAR CAPABILITY SHOULD NOT BE HANDED OVER TO THE ARMED FORCES,
BUT USED AS AN INSURANCE POLICY AGAINST THREAT TO THE NATION'S 
SECURITY.

IN A RECENTLY-PUBLISHED BOOK, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW DELHI'S 
INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE STUDIES AND ANALYSIS, JASJIT SINGH, 
DESCRIBES THE EMERGING STRATEGY AS A DOCTRINE OF "RECESSED 
DETERRENCE", THAT STAYS ONE STEP SHORT OF ASSEMBLING NUCLEAR 
WEAPONS. 

MR. SINGH IS AN INFLUENTIAL ADVISER ON NUCLEAR ISSUES FOR THE 
INSTITUTE, WHICH IS A GOVERNMENT-FUNDED RESEARCH ORGANIZATION.  
HE SAYS THE BOOK, "NUCLEAR INDIA" FAVORS A MINIMUM NUCLEAR 
DETERRENT POSTURE RATHER THAN OVERT NUCLEAR STATUS. 

                        // ACT 1 SINGH //

         THE DELIVERY SYSTEMS SHOULD BE IN PLACE, WEAPONS SHOULD 
         BE IN PLACE, NOT NECESSARILY ASSEMBLED, AND COMMAND AND 
         CONTROL SYSTEMS MUST BE IN PLACE, BUT THE DEPLOYMENT AND
         THE OPERATIONAL READINESS -- THAT SHOULD BE GUIDED BY 
         THE ACTUAL SECURITY SITUATION. 

                       // END SINGH ACT //

MR. SINGH SAYS THE DOCTRINE RELIES ON THE THREAT OF RETALIATION 
RATHER THAN STRIKE.  HE SAYS INDIA DOES NOT NEED TO EMBARK ON A 
COSTLY ARMS RACE, AND NEEDS THE CAPABILITY TO BUILD JUST TWO OR 
THREE DOZEN WARHEADS WITHIN THE NEXT 15-YEARS. 

                  /// OPT //  ACT 2 SINGH  ///

         WE DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE THE TYPE OF MISTAKE THAT WERE 
         MADE BY THE TWO SUPERPOWERS.  SECONDLY WE DO NOT EVEN 
         HAVE TO MOVE TO THE LEVEL OF MINIMUM DETERRENCE LIKE 
         CHINA'S.  THE INTENTION HERE IS NOT TO GO INTO FIGHTING 
         NUCLEAR WARS, THE INTENTION HERE IS TO JUST MAKE SURE WE
         ARE NOT THREATENED.

                   /// END ACT# // END OPT ///

ANOTHER STRATEGIC ANALYST, K. SUBRAHMANYAM, SAYS NEW DELHI SHOULD
SHOW RESTRAINT, SINCE IT HAS ESTABLISHED A DETERRENT.  HE SAYS 
THE COUNTRY'S NUCLEAR CAPABILITY IS NOT A MILITARY WEAPON, BUT A 
POLITICAL INSTRUMENT, WHICH WILL PREVENT OTHERS FROM INTIMIDATING
INDIA. 

                 /// INSERT SUBRAMANYAM ACT ///

         INDIA SHOULD NOT DEPLOY THE WEAPONS IN THE FORWARD 
         (BORDER) AREAS, INDIA SHOULD NOT HAVE THE WEAPONS 
         ASSEMBLED AND KEPT ON ALERT.  BUT WE SHOULD BE CAPABLE 
         OF DEPLOYING THEM WHEN IT BECOMES NECESSARY.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. SUBRAMANYAM AND MR. SINGH ARE OFTEN CONSULTED BY INDIAN 
POLICY-MAKERS, AND EACH EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE RECENT NUCLEAR 
TESTS BY NEW DELHI.   (SIGNED)

NEB/RAE

28-Jul-98 8:01 AM EDT (1201 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.