India has made a significant shift in its nuclear policy by operationally deploying 12 nuclear warheads for the first time, as reported in the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook 2026. This change marks a departure from India's long-standing cautious approach of merely stockpiling nuclear warheads. The move is seen as a response to the rapidly expanding nuclear arsenals in the region, particularly that of China, which possesses over 620 nuclear warheads and is modernizing its capabilities. India's nuclear triad, which includes land, air, and sea-based delivery systems, is designed to ensure a robust second-strike capability, even in the event of a surprise attack. The sea leg of this triad, represented by India's Arihant-class submarines, is particularly crucial for maintaining strategic deterrence. In 2024, India further strengthened its sea-based deterrent by commissioning the INS Arighaat, equipped to carry longer-range K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). This development underscores India's commitment to a no-first-use policy, ensuring that its nuclear arsenal is only used in retaliation against a nuclear attack. The modernization of India's nuclear capabilities is essential for maintaining a credible deterrent in a region characterized by increasing military tensions and the threat of nuclear conflict.
