Statement — “In the event of a major attack against India or Indian forces anywhere by biological or chemical weapons, India will retain the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons.” — Cabinet Committee on Security.\nConclusions:\nI. India possesses no biological or chemical weapons.\nII. A biological or chemical attack on India is likely to cause mass destruction.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Only conclusion II follows

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The policy statement reserves nuclear retaliation for bio/chem attacks of a “major” kind. We must assess which conclusion is compelled by this deterrence posture.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Nuclear option is retained against large-scale bio/chem aggression.
  • No mention of India’s own bio/chem arsenal.


Concept / Approach:
Nuclear retaliation is contemplated only against threats deemed catastrophic—i.e., capable of mass destruction. Therefore II follows: such attacks are assessed as massively destructive. I introduces an unrelated inventory claim (possession/absence of bio/chem weapons) that the statement neither affirms nor denies.


Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Deterrence logic: nuclear threshold ↔ extreme consequences.2) Conclude II; reject I for lack of textual support.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Only I/Either/Both: add arsenal details not present. Neither: ignores the obvious severity implication.


Common Pitfalls:
Misreading a policy about retaliation thresholds as a statement of current capabilities.


Final Answer:
Only conclusion II follows.

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