Since the 1940s, India has been passionately arguing for global nuclear disarmament. Regional and international events during 1960-80 forced India to look after its security interests, which resulted in India developing its own nuclear weapons programme. However, India still believes in global nuclear disarmament (GND); which is the stated intention of its successive governments, India has repeatedly called for global nuclear disarmament.

In terms of India’s contribution to this cause, the last serious effort was made in the late 1980s, when Rajiv Gandhi announced his time bound plan for a GND. Ever since, there have been no major initiatives taken either in
pursuing this concept or making a concrete contribution to achieving this goal. Worse, the international community sees India as an obstacle, after New Delhi refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

This essay critiques whether India could pursue a Regional Zero approach as its initiative and contribution to the GND.