India’s No First Use (NFU) Nuclear Doctrine: Strategic Utility and Contemporary Relevance Abstract India’s No First Use (NFU) nuclear doctrine—formalized in 2003—remains a central tenet of its nuclear policy. Anchored in the principle that India will not initiate a nuclear strike but will retaliate massively if attacked with nuclear weapons, the NFU reflects India's commitment … Continue reading Critically assess the relevance and strategic utility of India’s No First Use (NFU) nuclear doctrine in the evolving regional and global security environment. Examine arguments both for and against revisiting the policy, in light of changing threat perceptions, advancements in missile and defense technologies, and the strategic postures of nuclear-armed neighbors. Analyze the implications of any doctrinal shift for deterrence stability, India’s international image as a responsible nuclear power, and its commitment to minimum credible deterrence.