Nukes Are Last Thing India Needs

India is conducting its third national election in three years, an episodic affair in which the balloting occurs on several days between Sept. 5 and Oct. 3. Security requirements are a key reason for the staggered polling dates, a need that was tragically underlined last weekend when nearly 50 people were killed in election violence.

India’s election commissioner expressed concern but also offered some sound advice to candidates for the more than 500 seats in the lower house of Parliament: Tell voters your specific plans to fight poverty and improve education, and stop negative campaigning.

One issue clearly in need of discussion is the draft nuclear doctrine, a document issued in mid-August by an advisory group appointed by the government of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. India and its longtime foe Pakistan both tested nuclear weapons last year, heightening tension on the subcontinent. This year their armies battled in the Himalayas after Pakistani-backed guerrillas invaded Kashmir, a territory held by India but claimed by both countries.

They now should resume talks on Kashmir, which has sparked two of the three wars they have fought in the last half-century. Nuclear weapons make it imperative that neither side mistake the other’s intentions.

It is unfortunate that the draft nuclear doctrine was issued, and it should not be allowed to become official policy. Although it includes the ritual no-first-use pledge, it is provocative in tone and its promises to develop a nuclear arsenal would further impoverish India if carried out.

India long had lectured other nations on the dangers of nuclear weapons. Now, having tested its own, it would have been better off not to boast of its willingness to join in a nuclear arms race.

Electoral violence in India is commonplace but also temporary. The risks of nuclear war are far more important. That’s the issue that deserves the most attention in this campaign.