As it integrates itself into the global nuclear order and finds itself at ease with the US and other great powers, India has other ambitions to chase. These include leading the subcontinent towards peace and prosperity, resolving the boundary dispute with China and building a cooperative relationship with its great northern neighbour, deepening the engagement with the Islamic world, and taking a bigger responsibility in reshaping the global order. In bringing the great nuclear debate to a close Tuesday night, the prime minister has launched India on an exciting international course.

The writer is a professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

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