The Balance of Power in South Asia: The Strategic Interests and Capabilities of India, China and Pakistan
Abstract
In May of 1998 India and Pakistan each detonated a series of nuclear devices, and as a result the world perception of the strategic situation in South Asia has changed considerably. While the timing of the tests may have caught some analysts off guard, the tests themselves were not overly surprising. It has been understood by many experts in the field for some time that both countries possessed the capability, if not the actual components, to assemble and detonate nuclear weapons. India had tested a crude device in 1974, calling it a "peaceful nuclear explosion," but did not test again until May 1998, pursuing a path of "nuclear ambiguity." Likewise, while Pakistan has maintained an even more ambiguous stance, it nevertheless has hinted at some nuclear weapons capability since the early 1 99Os. The tests only served to confirm what we already knew about the two countries, but at the same time they place us in a position to explore the strategic interests of the region in the shadow of the tests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA372363
Entities
People
- Brian K. Hedrick
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin