India has repeatedly said it wants peace with its neighbours and utilise its nuclear option for peaceful purposes. But it must also be prepared to defend itself in case some enemy attacks it. India is no exception.

China and Pakistan are India’s neighbours. They have utilized every resource to prepare themselves in case of a war. China is now not only major nuclear power in Asia, it has also helped Pakistan to develop nuclear weapons.

Pakistan has also been enjoying economic and military aid from the U.S. India, being a big country, too has to make her presence felt in the region. For this to be accomplished, she has been involved in nuclear research since long.

India faced a crushing and humiliating defeat in its war with China in 1962, and this has forced her to be prepared for any threat in future. Manufacturing nuclear weapons is very important for India because the world should be made aware that she is not a weak nation and that in times of strife, she can defend her honour.

There are many people who are of the opinion that India should not manufacture nuclear weapons. Peace-Loving people believe that no country should manufacture nuclear weapons.

This is true, but the fact that the world is constantly in a state of uncertainty and the political scene is unpredictable, it is better to be prepared rather than to feel sorry later. India should not have an aggressive attitude. It should remain committed to peace which means that she should never start a war.

She should, however, be adequately prepared to defend herself in case some country attacks her. Meanwhile, at home, nuclear energy can be utilized for peaceful purposes. Many developmental programmes have been started by the government.

Nuclear energy is of great use in the field of construction and to dig out various treasures from the earth. It is the need of the day to bring about greater progress and India cannot afford to lag behind Hence nuclear power is necessary for India.