New Nukes: India, Pakistan and Global Nuclear Disarmament (Voices & Visions) (Paperback)

by Praful Bidwai (Author), Achin Vanaik (Author) "The nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remains the top news story of all of the twentieth century..." (more)
Key Phrases: New Delhi, New York, Sangh Combine (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The recent Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests brought nuclear proliferation and the terrible threat of nuclear war back to the world's center stage. The south Asian nuclear moves have raised regional tensions, transformed Kashmir into a potentially nuclear flashpoint, increased the poverty of already devastated populations, fueled a conventional and possibly nuclear arms race far beyond the borders of the two countries, and vastly distorted definitions of international status and influence. On the global level, the newest entries into the restricted club of admitted nuclear-capable nations have rendered obsolete the post-World War Two nuclear status quo.

Praful Bidwai and Achin Vanaik, two of India's most respected and experienced journalists and longtime anti-nuclear activists, examine the causes and consequences of the Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests, and provide a framework for understanding the global context in which they occur. They also map out a new approach to nuclear abolition, in which not only south Asia's new nuclear states, but the oldest and mightiest Western nuclear powers would at last begin serious efforts towards full and complete nuclear disarmament.

About the Author
Praful Bidwai and Achin Vanaik are both Fellows of Transnational Institute (TNI) and the authors of Testing Times: The Global Stake in a Nuclear Test Ban.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Interlink Publishing Group; First Edition edition (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566563178
• ISBN-13: 978-1566563178
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,766,447 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but for political influences, March 1, 2004

By A Customer

The book starts off as a good historical narrative of the issues involved; however, the writers extreme left wing tendencies soon become apparent

The book is basically a rebuke of India's nuclear weapon programme. The book would have been much better if the authors did not spend so much time criticising India for what is essentially an act of self defence. the writers fail to take into account India's security problems, as well as the problems it faces against terrorism. it also fails to speak of hostile comments made by Pakistani and Chinese officials thratening India

1.0 out of 5 stars Biased rambling of the Fringe Left, November 11, 2008

By	Bharat Sharma (India) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Arundhati Roy and Praful Bidwai are well known anti Hindu, anti India writers with prolific track record of biased vitriolic outbursts.

The central theme of the book is to take a few facts and put an overdose of fringe left opinions. The net result is to make India seem responsible for nuclear proliferation in the world.

The writers have tried to equate India with Pakistan. The fact that Indian nuclear program started as an Indian response after Indian defeat in Indo China war of 1962 and Chinese nuclear program has been very conveniently discounted.

This flaw alone seriously discounts any scholarship of the work. This book is suitable for preaching to the converted. If you are looking for another view point to the Indian nuclear program, you will be sorely disappointed.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly Worthwhile, June 27, 2002

By A Customer

Having used this text for University, I highly recommend this book for understanding what is happening in South Asia's nuclear arms race, particularly since it was printed after the nuclear test detonations by India and Pakistan in May 1998. Though the content is sometimes personal opinion, there is enough verifiable information in regard to the leadup, execution and aftermath of May 1998's tests.