Thirteen Years After

Byline: Rizwan Zeb Nuclear weapons have been a factor in Indo-Pak relations since 1980s. They figured prominently during the Brasstack exercise and 1990 compound crisis. Due to conventional superiority of the Indian armed forces, nuclear weapons became the ultimate security guarantor for Pakistan. In 1998, New Delhi tested its nuclear capability for the second time and Islamabad followed suit. Since 1998, India and Pakistan have strengthen their nuclear programs, established command and control structures, continue to work on missiles as main delivery vehicles and faced at least two major crises. A closer look at the nuclear developments in the region illustrates the fact that while Pakistan continues to follow the policy of credible minimum deterrence, India is working on a nuclear triad and working hard to get the latest technology such as the ballistic missile defense, enhance its missile capability and increase its fissile material, stockpile size.