Integrating into the Global Nuclear Order as a Responsible Nuclear-Armed State

Abstract Since May 1998, when India openly proclaimed itself a nuclear-weapon possessing state, India’s nuclear diplomacy has focussed on integrating India into the global nuclear order as a non-NPT de facto nuclear-armed state. This chapter examines India’s nuclear diplomacy during the decade 2004–14 when the two United Progressive Alliance (UPA) governments were in the office with Manmohan Singh as the prime minister. The chapter argues that there has been a fundamental continuity in India’s nuclear diplomacy across the NDA and UPA governments based on the pursuit of essentially the same goals despite differences in nuances. The chapter begins with a brief background to establish the continuities until 2004, documents in detail the main thrust of the country’s nuclear diplomacy during 2004–14 and concludes with a comment on the same thrust being maintained by the Narendra Modi government since 2014.