There are three reasons why the Indian state and its political parties hold on to nuclear weapons arsenal and expand it. First of which is common to all nation states – National Power. Second is restricted to nations with perceived or actual hostile neighboring nations – National Security. Third reason and the most important one for India’s ruling class only exists in fanatical societies and cults – Nation Pride.

The first reason gives rise not only to threats of nuclear annihilation but to wars generally, without high technology. The second is made worse with nuclear deterrence and increases hostilities and erodes the possibility of peaceful negotiations. The third brutally crushes individual liberties within the nation and creates the cynical war mentality within the society.