India’s Nuclear Strategy in Focus: Key SIPRI 2025 Findings for Exams

SIPRI: The Global Peace Watchdog
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an independent international institute dedicated to conflict, armaments, and disarmament research. Founded in 1966 and based in Sweden, it publishes annual assessments of military spending, arms transfers, and nuclear capabilities—making its Yearbook indispensable for GS-II (International Institutions).

Key SIPRI 2025 Findings on India:
Nuclear Arsenal Growth: India holds 180 nuclear warheads (up from 2024), while Pakistan has 170. China leads with 600 warheads.
New Delivery Systems: India is developing ‘canisterised’ missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads during peacetime—potentially enabling multiple warheads per missile.
Military Spending: India remains the world’s 2nd largest arms importer (2020-24), behind Ukraine.
Operation Sindoor Alert: SIPRI warns that India’s 2023 strikes on nuclear-linked infrastructure risked escalating conventional conflict into nuclear crisis.
Global Nuclear Highlights:
Russia (5,459) and the USA (5,177) possess 90% of global nuclear stockpiles.
Asia’s Arms Race: India, Pakistan, China, and North Korea are modernizing dual-capable missiles. China has deployed multi-warhead missiles; India, Pakistan, and North Korea are pursuing this capability.

Why This Matters for UPSC Aspirants:
Prelims Focus: SIPRI’s role, nuclear state comparisons, India’s military spending trends.
Mains Focus: SIPRI’s mandate (GS-II), nuclear deterrence ethics, India’s strategic autonomy.
Case Study Link: Operation Sindoor illustrates conflict escalation risks—vital for GS-III (Security).
 

Sample Q&A for Exam Prep
Q: What is SIPRI’s primary function?
A: SIPRI researches global conflicts, arms production, and disarmament to provide data-driven policy insights (e.g., Yearbook reports).
Q: How does India’s nuclear arsenal compare to Pakistan’s per SIPRI 2025?
A: India has 180 warheads; Pakistan has 170. Both are expanding capabilities and developing multi-warhead missiles.
Q: Why did SIPRI highlight Operation Sindoor?
A: It warned that strikes on nuclear-linked infrastructure could escalate conventional conflicts into nuclear crises.
Q: Which countries are the top global arms importers (2020-24)?
A: Ukraine (1st), India (2nd), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
Q: What makes SIPRI Yearbook crucial for GS-II?
A: It analyzes international institutions, arms treaties, and security frameworks—key UPSC syllabus topics.