The Politics of Nuclear Weapons in South Asia - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1138248835 ISBN 13: 9781138248830

Publisher: Routledge, 2016

Synopsis

An important and critical re-evaluation of South Asia's post-tests nuclear politics, in contrast to other books, this volume emphasises the political dimension of South Asia's nuclear weapons, explains how the bombs are used as politico-strategic assets rather than pure battlefield weapons and how India and Pakistan utilise them for politico-strategic purposes in an extremely complex and competitive South Asian strategic landscape. Written by a group of perceptive observers of South Asia, this volume evaluates the current state of Indo-Pakistani nuclear deterrents, the challenges that the two countries confront in building their nuclear forces, the post-test nuclear doctrines of the two strategic rivals, the implications of Indo-Pakistani politics for regional cooperation, the role of two systemic actors (USA and China) in the region's nuclear politics and the critical issues of confidence-building and nuclear arms control.

About this title

About the Author:

Bhumitra Chakma, University of Hull, UK

Review:

'Pakistan and India have been on the verge of nuclear war several times in the past two decades. This book explores the complexities of their relationship with great clarity and in unparalleled depth. It will be an invaluable resource for anyone seeking accurate, detailed and up-to-date information on the nuclear balance in South Asia.' Peter Mayer, University of Adelaide, Australia 'The Asian subcontinent has, thus far, escaped the unimaginable horrors of nuclear Armageddon. But can the world expect this good fortune to last forever? Or does "good fortune" have nothing to do with it? This careful study explores the nuclear theory, doctrine, politics, arms control measures, and external pressures that help explain why intense national rivalries and superheated passions so far remain contained.' Robert M. Hathaway, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, DC, USA

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1138248835
• ISBN 13: 9781138248830
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 278
• Editor: Chakma Bhumitra