New Delhi: India’s nuclear posture has reportedly undergone a significant shift, with 12 nuclear weapons said to be kept in a state of immediate readiness to respond to threats from adversaries.
According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the move is linked to rising regional tensions, including conflict-related instability in West Asia and increasing security concerns involving neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and China.
The report notes that nuclear warheads are typically stored separately under tight security. However, it claims that, for the first time, India has placed 12 nuclear weapons mated with missiles and maintained them on standby.
SIPRI also said India’s nuclear stockpile increased slightly over the past year, and that a limited number of nuclear weapons have been deployed on submarine-launched missiles with patrols conducted.
While the report states that India’s “no first use” policy remains unchanged, it suggests the readiness posture is aimed at enabling a swift retaliatory response. The Union government and the Defence Ministry have not issued any official clarification so far.
