Recent advancements in missile technology, extended ranges, and frequent testing indicate that India is moving beyond its declared nuclear posture. The development of long-range ballistic missiles, ICBMs, and submarine-launched systems reflects a shift away from minimum deterrence toward greater strategic dominance and deliberate ambiguity in its nuclear policy. While the official doctrine still emphasizes No First Use (NFU) and Credible Minimum Deterrence (CMD), scale and sophistication of India’s strategic weapons development suggest a shift toward a more flexible and more aggressive nuclear stance.

Likewise, according to the SIPRI report India is among the world’s largest arms importers accounting for 8.3 percent of total global arms importers during the period 2020-2024, making it the world’s second-largest arms importer behind Ukraine. A sizeable chunk of these weapons systems comes from US and Russia. The US needs India to counter China and for implementation of its Indo-Pacific strategy. This strategic cooperation between two countries challenges the regional power dynamics in South Asia. The arms India imports from the US heighten Pakistan’s security concerns and hold strategic relevance for China.

The development of hypersonic missiles, ballistic missile defence systems, enhanced space-based intelligence and surveillance assets, and the deployment of nuclear-powered submarines armed with ballistic missiles all point toward a posture inconsistent with a purely defensive doctrine.

The US’ exceptional treatment of India through strategic titles, advanced arms sales, and special agreements is not only fuelling India’s global ambitions but also generating insecurity at both regional and global levels. To position India as a strategic counterweight to China, the West particularly the US has actively supported India’s military build-up. As part of the US-India strategic partnership, India received a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in 2008. This exemption........

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