Avadh Girls Degree College, Lucknow.
This paper will endeavour to look into the broader issue of horizontal nuclear proliferation in the light of the security interests (real or perceived) of these states. The exact mechanics of the spread of nuclear weapons is beyond its scope. An attempt will be made to answer the why of the issue rather than the how. As a first step, the states that have been accused of being ‘proliferation’ will be identified and classified as weak powers. Then a conceptual frame work for discussion using the definition of weak powers, their security imperatives and historical evidence will be formulated. The fundamental questions which begs an answer, are - Do nuclear weapons help the security interests of these states? Is this just a quest for security or is it that there are other underlying impulses such as aspirations for ‘greatness’, prestige, domestic politics and perceptions that play a role?
