Author: Raja Menon
Publisher: Sage Publications
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 278
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0761933026
Description
Nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, or Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), present a serious danger in today’s world. This pertinent and topical volume takes a hard-headed look at the threat that India could face from these weapons.
A great deal of literature exists on international regimes and their attempts to curb the proliferation of WMD. For a number of years the national effort seemed to be confined to relying solely on these international regimes to ensure the safety of the nation. This book is groundbreaking in that it concentrates more on the protection of society and the armed forces against both state and non-state actors armed with WMD, and less on the international regimes.
Additionally, the book offers a detailed checklist for the formulation of a national strategy to protect the people of India from WMD agents, while suggesting a counter-proliferation strategy. With contributions from leading analysts in the field, some of the important issues that are discussed here include:
The danger that WMD pose to governments and to the populace at large.
The actual threat of WMD and the scenarios that India needs to guard against.
Whether India faces a greater WMD threat from state or non-state actors.
The possible protective measures that can be undertaken to guard against these threats.
The position that the Indian government needs to take in international fora while addressing international initiatives to prevent the use of WMD.
Unique in its content, among the strong points of this volume is the detailed description of efforts required to set up material and human resources to respond to such catastrophes. With its comprehensive coverage of both practical and policy issue, it will attract the attention of scholars, defence strategists and serving personnel in the armed forces.
Contents
INTRODUCTION by
RAJA MENON
PART I-THEORY OF EFFECTIVENESS
The Nuclear Dimension
PRAN KRISHAN PAHWA
The Effectiveness of Chemical Agents
B S MALIK
The Effectiveness of Biological Agents
RAJA MENON
PART II-THREATS TO INDIA
Formal and Non-formal Nuclear Threats
M S MAMIK
PART III-CURRENT INTERNATIONAL REGIMES
The Nuclear Non-proliferation Regime
MATIN ZUBERI
The Chemical and Biological Weapons Regimes
ARUNDHATI GHOSE
PART IV-INDIA’S NEGOTIATING POITIONS
The Nuclear Non-proliferation Regime in Crisis
MATIN ZUBERI
Trends in the CWC and BTWC: Implications and Options for India’s Security Interests
ARUNDHATI GHOSE
PART V-INDIA’S OPTIONS
Protection against Chemical Agents
B S MALIK
Protection against Biological and Toxin Warfare
RAJA MENON
ABOUT THE EDITOR AND CONTRIBUTORS
INDEX