Course given in English.
Taking over from the “Trajectoires nucléaires européennes” nuclear history research seminar, the course proposed by Jayita Sarkar, University Professor of the Global History of Inequalities at the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, and co-supervised by Frédéric Gloriant (CIENS Director, MCF Contemporary History), will initiate a cycle of lectures on “Extra-European Nuclear Worlds”, focusing on the Indian nuclear trajectory and South Asia.
The course will consider India’s nuclear trajectory in its various national, international and transnational dimensions: the issue of proliferation and India’s specific position in the global nuclear order; scientific links between Indian and French scientists and, more broadly, the circulation of knowledge and technology between India and Europe; the impact of conflicts with Pakistan and China, as well as India’s relationship with the major nuclear powers (USSR-Russia; USA); debates in India on “nuclearity” and the role of the nuclear and space industries, historically linked to each other, in the Indian political and economic system.
This course, given in English, is open to all interested Normalien(e). It can be validated as part of the CIENS “International Relations and Contemporary Strategic Issues” minor.
Jayita Sarkar (Professor of Global History of Inequalities, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow), with support from Frédéric Gloriant (Director of CIENS / IHMC)
Contact : frederic.gloriant@ens.psl.eu
3 ECTS, 6 sessions of 2h (first session: Tuesday March 17, 2026).
Tuesdays 4pm-6pm in salle Camille Marbo, 29 rue d’Ulm
Assessments:
(1) Simulation on Nuclear Crises (Monday, May 11)
(2) Critical Analysis and Oral Presentation of Readings (Date to be determined)
Session 1, March 24, 4-6 p.m.:
France in South Asia in the 1970s: Nuclear Explosion, Nonproliferation, and Cold War
Session 2, March 31, 4-6 p.m.:
The Backstory from the 1940s to 1960s: French Science and Technology Transfer to India
Session 3, April 7, 4-6 p.m.:
Non-state Actors from the 1980s onward: Nuclear Smuggling, Terrorism, and Counterproliferation
Session 4, April 14, 4-6 p.m.: Nuclear Weapons Tests in South Asia: Proliferation to Deterrence
Session 5, May 5, 4-6 p.m.: Comparative Study of Nuclear Doctrines of India, Pakistan, and China: Wars, Terrorism, and Surgical Strikes [mandatory for success in crisis simulation]
Special Session 6, Monday, May 11 – assessment in the form of a mini-crisis simulation in South Asia
Session 7, May 12, 4-6 p.m.: India’s Nuclear & Space Programs: The Role of Delivery Vehicles