Like USA, India is a democratic country. The main difference between these two is that former is the non-parliamentary form of system while latter is the parliamentary form of system. Thus in USA executive is separate of the legislator while in India it solely depends upon the legislator. In USA president has the veto power in almost any case. However, it does not mean that he can launch it anytime.
The launch process has certain protocols to follow. These are called as the command and control for nuclear warheads. The US president can launch warhead without any major impediment.
In India, Prime Minister is responsible to Lok Sabha i.e the lower house of the parliament. Constitution of India makes it binding on the Prime Minister to take aid and advice of the council of ministers before making any major decision. So Prime Minister must consult cabinet before making any serious decision. However, it is implicitly stated in the constitution that the decision making ability of the Prime depends on his personality. If Prime Minister is autocratic for e.g Indira Gandhi or Narendra Modi, then council of ministers have hardly any chance of stopping him.
Does it mean that Indian Prime Minister can launch nuclear warheads any time?
No, definitely not. In India there is nuclear command authority (NCA) headed by Prime Minister. The work of this authority is to establish an apparent and reliable command and control.
In India National command authority is divided into two wing. First is the political wing headed by Prime Minister and core cabinet ministers. Second is the executive wing which is headed by the National Security Adviser. He has the responsibility to make any new Prime aware about India's nuclear capabilities and its command process.
So whenever a nuclear warhead is to be launch, and if there is ample time, then Prime Minister will call for cabinet meeting.At the same time he will also take an advice of national security adviser. An order will be then given to nuclear command authority headed by chief of army, navy or air force. We should note here that the head of the nuclear command authority rotates in between these three commands. The Chief Commander will make aware to the final execution team that the launch process has been initiated. After this actual codes will be sent to the two men who have actual control over launch buttons.
Why two men are required for nuclear launch?
. The answer to this question lies in two men theory which is used in USA. For every launch site there are two men who have the final authority to launch it. These two men are selected after rigorous psychological training and in depth information about their past credibility. Their duty is to check if real situation exists or not for nuclear attack orders. When they are satisfied that the situation exists and examine that orders given are according to protocol then they use keys to launch warheads.
How the keys are used for launch of nuclear warhead?
For any final launch two men are required to safeguard the process. When code is received these men check those codes with the codes kept in the safety locker. They have keys to open the locker. Now this locker can only be opened when these men simultaneously enter their keys in the locker. When codes are verified then there is the last step to press the big button. However, this button is activated only when these men simultaneously enter another set of keys. So care has been taken that no individual can launch nuclear warhead individually.
India has already stated its no first use policy. India has acquired nuclear warheads for deterrence. Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the former president and nuclear scientist has stated that India has acquired nuclear weapons for the ultimate goal of piece in the subcontinent.
The launch process has certain protocols to follow. These are called as the command and control for nuclear warheads. The US president can launch warhead without any major impediment.
In India, Prime Minister is responsible to Lok Sabha i.e the lower house of the parliament. Constitution of India makes it binding on the Prime Minister to take aid and advice of the council of ministers before making any major decision. So Prime Minister must consult cabinet before making any serious decision. However, it is implicitly stated in the constitution that the decision making ability of the Prime depends on his personality. If Prime Minister is autocratic for e.g Indira Gandhi or Narendra Modi, then council of ministers have hardly any chance of stopping him.
Does it mean that Indian Prime Minister can launch nuclear warheads any time?
No, definitely not. In India there is nuclear command authority (NCA) headed by Prime Minister. The work of this authority is to establish an apparent and reliable command and control.
In India National command authority is divided into two wing. First is the political wing headed by Prime Minister and core cabinet ministers. Second is the executive wing which is headed by the National Security Adviser. He has the responsibility to make any new Prime aware about India's nuclear capabilities and its command process.
So whenever a nuclear warhead is to be launch, and if there is ample time, then Prime Minister will call for cabinet meeting.At the same time he will also take an advice of national security adviser. An order will be then given to nuclear command authority headed by chief of army, navy or air force. We should note here that the head of the nuclear command authority rotates in between these three commands. The Chief Commander will make aware to the final execution team that the launch process has been initiated. After this actual codes will be sent to the two men who have actual control over launch buttons.
Why two men are required for nuclear launch?
. The answer to this question lies in two men theory which is used in USA. For every launch site there are two men who have the final authority to launch it. These two men are selected after rigorous psychological training and in depth information about their past credibility. Their duty is to check if real situation exists or not for nuclear attack orders. When they are satisfied that the situation exists and examine that orders given are according to protocol then they use keys to launch warheads.
How the keys are used for launch of nuclear warhead?
For any final launch two men are required to safeguard the process. When code is received these men check those codes with the codes kept in the safety locker. They have keys to open the locker. Now this locker can only be opened when these men simultaneously enter their keys in the locker. When codes are verified then there is the last step to press the big button. However, this button is activated only when these men simultaneously enter another set of keys. So care has been taken that no individual can launch nuclear warhead individually.
India has already stated its no first use policy. India has acquired nuclear warheads for deterrence. Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the former president and nuclear scientist has stated that India has acquired nuclear weapons for the ultimate goal of piece in the subcontinent.
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