Nuclear Signalling in South Asia

Byline: Mobeen Tariq - Email: mobeen85@hotmail.com After the advent of nuclear weapons the security environments have changed. There are no global wars like WW-I and WW-II. No direct confrontation between the two super powers as during the Cold War. Deterrence has become the corner stone of strategy. Nuclear deterrence is the core of strategic stability in South Asia. One of the requirements of deterrence is communication. Communication or signalling implies of demonstration of political will and resolve to use nuclear weapons to the adversary. Therefore, nuclear signalling involves the show of credibility and capability through different styles and means. Three main methods are employed in order to deliver the threat explicitly and these are public statements, private messages and demonstrative actions (which include primarily ballistic missiles flight tests and demonstration of technological advancement in lethal armaments). Clear and 'careful' communication is, therefore, necessary but there are certain difficulties in achieving the task.