Analyze the Nuclear policy of India.

OR

Analyze any two causes of conflict between India and China.

The Indian Nuclear policy is heavily influenced by India’s geographical imperatives, unfriendly neighbours and historical commitment to non-violence.

a) During the initial years, Nehru launched an atomic program under Homi J. Bhabha. He said that the intent of the program was to create usable technologies using nuclear power, and not to make weapons. However, India eventually made its own weapons and conducted a successful explosion in May 1974.

b) India had pleaded with the 5 nuclear superpowers for disarmament and non-proliferation for years, but the nations had remained unresponsive.

c) Hence, India decided to withdraw support for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. These treaties target non-nuclear powers and force them to abandon their nuclear programs. The discriminatory nature of these treaties is belittling and un-democratic.

d) India conducted another round of nuclear tests in 1998. This was followed by international criticism and sanctions were imposed on India. These sanctions have been lifted, and India is now recognized as a nuclear super-power.

OR

Sino-Indian relations had started off on a high note but faced many challenges. The two biggest challenges were:

a) ANNEXATION OF TIBET: China invaded and captured Tibet in 1950. However, India did not oppose this move, as, under the Panchsheel agreement, China had promised to grant greater autonomy to the Tibet region. However, in 1958, when Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama sought asylum in India, he was granted the same. This enraged China, who claimed that Dalai Lama was causing conflict and unrest in their country. In 1959, when armed conflict broke out in Tibet, India extended fuller support to Tibetans on the international stage.

b) BORDER ISSUES: China claimed that certain regions of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai-chin region of Ladakh were a part of their territory. India, however, claimed that the borders had been settled during colonial rule and no further negotiations were required. Chinese, hence, occupied Aksai-chin from 1957 to 1959 and attacked Arunachal in 1962. Border disputes continue to remain a source of tension between the two nations.