Controlling ballistic missile proliferation

Strategic Analysis

Volume 35, NO. 2

This article evaluates the opportunities associated with The Hague Code of Conduct (HCoC) for India. HCoC is a stand-alone agreement against ballistic missile proliferation. Since the 1974 Pokharan nuclear tests it has been tricky for India to get into the non-proliferation mainstream. The success of the 2005 Indo-US nuclear deal is a first step towards global acceptability of India’s non-proliferation and disarmament policies. Now, it is important for India to start supporting the international norms which do not affect their strategic  programmes. This article argues that by signing the HCoC India could demonstrate its commitment towards the global non-proliferation and disarmament regimes.

FEBRUARY 2011

Ajey Lele

Other publications

Le Code de conduite de La Haye contre la prolifération des missiles balistiques. Le régime qui n’existait pas ?

The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, launched in November 2002, established itself as the first political and truly multilateral initiative on non-proliferation in the field of missiles. He succeeded in laying down principles of universal scope in a field which was totally lacking in them and in establishing confidence-building measures which could serve as a model for countries not yet signatories.

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Issue Briefs

The Hague Code of Conduct in the Middle East

The HCoC holds special significance in the Middle East as the region is fraught with the development of ballistic arsenals, the use of missiles on the battlefield and the proliferation of such systems towards both states and non-state actors. Moreover, several ballistic missile programmes have been closely associated with WMD acquisition.

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