Nuclear Tension in South Asia
The relationship between India and Pakistan has been dominated by a bitter rivalry. After partition in 1947, millions of citizens moved to their new homes in either the Islamic state of Pakistan or the Secular state of India. After only two weeks of independence, India and Pakistan fought a Religious war over the land now known as Kashmir (Please see Appendix 1). The two countries have fought two more wars, in 1965 and 1971, with the final battle resulting in the creation of Bangladesh. Since these battles, the countries have had harsh feelings for one another due to numerous Muslim-Hindu beliefs as well as the territorial dispute over Kahmir. Now, the whole idea of using nuclear force in this area of the world arose in 1971 when Pakistan's deputy P.M Zulficar Ali Bhutto promised to the UN through a speech, "a thousand year war with India", and also stated that his people would eat grass, but WOULD have the bomb. Although Pakistan was first to voice its intentions, it was India who took the first step down the nuclear path when it tested a "peaceful nuclear device" in 1974, claiming it was not for the military program, but designed to assist civilian atomic energy programs. As a result, Pakistan saw itself at a much gre
India has not earned itself a better political standing after conducting tests in May 1998. It can also treat both Pakistan and India in the same category as regional powers, not in the same class as China, which is a global player. Economically, India suffered from US sanctions and a decrease in loans and aid from other countries. India wanted to maintain the capability of deterrence with nuclear weapons because of the uncertainty of a future threat from China. The NPT recognizes China as a nuclear state, and in the process, hinders India from pursuing its security concerns by barring it from developing its own nuclear weapons. India continued to oppose the NPT through the 70's and 80's, and perceived that other states were either not taking it seriously or were ignoring it. There, India proposed to form an agreement to halt nuclear testing and create a non-discriminatory Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). India's domestic politics support their government conducting nuclear tests; the end result was that the people were hurt by the negative repercussions, such as loss in foreign aid and investment. and dual-use equipment that could also be used for nuclear or military purposes. India is not comfortable with China gaining more power in South-Asian affairs. India felt that its efforts for global disarmament were not being taken seriously during the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's, and as a result felt discouraged. India still wants to maintain a minimum deterrent capability, mainly because of China; whether or not their arsenal will be a feasible deterrent against China is questionable.
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