Nuclear Deterrence and Conflict Management Between India and Pakistan

Zia Ul Haque Shamsi

• Publisher: Peter Lang Group
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781433172724
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Arms Control
• Index: Politics & International Relations

The India-Pakistan relationship is complex and choreographed with wars, protracted conflicts and active disputes. Although the presence of nuclear weapons has decreased the probability of an all-out conventional war, the frequency of minor conflicts and crises have increased manifold. India considers nuclear weapons a deterrent against nuclear strikes, whereas Pakistan assumes that these would deter a nuclear as well as a conventional war. The central argument of this book is that another military engagement between India and Pakistan, similar to one in February 2019, exists with varying degrees of probability, thus challenging the efficacy of nuclear deterrence. Until the probabilities of military engagements are minimized, the possibilities of peace and stability in the region would remain elusive. Therefore, the situation asks for scholarly contribution in developing a new paradigm wherein the two nuclear neighbors are made to recognize the need to resolve their disputes instead of just managing them, to avoid recurrence of violent conflicts that can lead to a catastrophic nuclear exchange, no matter how limited it is.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Contents
• List of Maps and Tables
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Abbreviations
• Introduction
• Chapter One: India-Pakistan Relations: A History of Wars and Conflicts
• Chapter Two: The Doables: Sir Creek and Siachen Disputes
• Chapter Three: India-Pakistan Relations: Instability, Crises, and Rapprochement (1983–98)
• Chapter Four: Post Nuclear Environment: The Kargil Conflict (1999)
• Chapter Five: Post 9/11 Environment: Crises and Rapprochement
• Chapter Six: Role of Nuclear Deterrence in Conflicts and Crises
• Chapter Seven: Decolonization of the Kashmir Issue: Post Pulwama Environment
• Chapter Eight: Application of the “Possibility-Probability” (P2) Model
• Chapter Nine: Fear Wars and Near Peace: The Way Forward
• Conclusion
• Bibliography