Toward Nuclear Stability in South Asia

Abstract Contrary to the arguments of proliferation pessimists, this article contends that the overt nuclearization of South Asia has contributed to stability in the region. To that end this article carefully examines two recent crises in Indo-Pakistani relations and concludes that in the absence of nuclear weapons they would have culminated in full-scale war. Accordingly, while Indo-Pakistani relations may remain fraught with tension, the likelihood of major war in the region has dramatically diminished. Notes An earlier version of this article appeared as ‘Nuclear Stability in South Asia’, International Security, 33(2), 2008, pp. 45–70. 1. On their respective pathways to the nuclear tests, see Sumit Ganguly, ‘India's Pathway to Pokhran II: The Sources and Prospects of India's Nuclear Weapons Program’,…