Nuclear Neighbours India Pakistan

Persistent Rivalry: India and Pakistan remain locked in a persistent strategic and political rivalry, deeply rooted in history and identity politics.

Nuclear Deterrence: The presence of nuclear weapons has prevented full-scale wars but has not ensured peace; instead, it has led to more frequent low-intensity conflicts and crises.

Crisis Stability vs. Strategic Stability: While nuclear deterrence provides crisis stability (avoiding total war), it undermines strategic stability by emboldening conventional and sub-conventional conflicts.

Lack of Communication: Inadequate and ineffective communication channels between India and Pakistan heighten the risk of misunderstandings during crises.

Third-party Mediation: External actors, especially the United States and China, have often played critical roles in de-escalating tensions, indicating regional instability and dependency.

CBMs and Doctrinal Clarity: Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and clarity in nuclear doctrines are essential to reduce risks, but progress has been limited due to mutual mistrust.

Need for Institutional Mechanisms: Institutionalizing crisis management frameworks and establishing nuclear risk-reduction centers can help avoid accidental or unintended escalation.

Role of Domestic Politics: Internal political dynamics in both countries often influence bilateral relations, sometimes escalating tensions for domestic gains.

Future Outlook: Long-term peace and stability require sustained diplomatic engagement, mutual recognition of red lines, and people-to-people contact, beyond mere military deterrence.