INDIA- PAKISTAN NUCLEAR STRATEGIES: A COMPETITIVE NUCLEAR DOCTRINE PRE AND POST BALAKOT AIRS TRIKE

Abstract

India and Pakistan have been gradually maturing their nuclear doctrines since the overt nuclearization 1998. During the last two decades, both have added ill their respective nuclear arsenals sophisticated nuclear capable delivery vehicles, such as crmse and ballistic missiles. Besides, India has been struggling to develop and operationalize reliable missile defense system. During the last two decades, India and Pakistan encountered five stand-offs that had potential to escalate into a nuclear war. Each new stand-off was accompanied with a shift in nuclear doctrines and postures that has aided to make the dynamic more volatile and complex then the former situation. This study aims to analyze the change in defense doctrines of both the countries after each stand-off and critically examines the situation post Balakot strike on February 26, 20 19, also giving a further account on the future of nuclear South Asia.