An Illusion of the Indian Balistic Missile Defence System

Authors

  • Ashfaq Ahmed National Defense University Islamabad
  • Saima Kausar University of Sargodha

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12797/Politeja.16.2019.59.03

Keywords:

Deterrence, South Asia, BMDS

Abstract

In this paper, the Researcher has endeavored to test the hypothesis that the Indian ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) erodes the sense of mutual vulnerability. It seems that the BMDS provides a false sense of security to India. For this reason it is felt that the Cold Start Doctrine (CSD) can therefore be launched against Pakistan in an attempt to actualize a disarming strike. Consequentially, the BMDS disturbs the India-Pakistan crisis and deterrence stability. Indian policymakers should realize that firstly, the operationalization of the CSD crosses Pakistan’s nuclear threshold and it requires Islamabad to unleash strategic and tactical nuclear weapons (TNWs); secondly, the Pak-India crisis and deterrence stability is functional due to the sense of mutual vulnerability; thirdly, the credibility of nuclear deterrence has not been tested and fourthly, the deterrence stability solidified the crisis and strategic stability. The BMDS deployment in South Asia will certainly result first in quantitative and qualitative nuclear proliferation; second, it weakens the NPT and; third, it may break the nuclear taboo based on non-use of nuclear weapons. India needs to understand that Pak-India can survive the long persisting threat of conventional and nuclear war because of the mutual vulnerability of counter value and counterforce targets.

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Author Biographies

Ashfaq Ahmed, National Defense University Islamabad

holds a PhD in Strategic & Nuclear Studies from the National Defense University Islamabad, Pakistan. He has contributed to the field of strategic studies through his writings published in Pakistani and international journals. He is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Sargodha, Pakistan.

Saima Kausar, University of Sargodha

holds a M.Sc degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from Quaidi- Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan. She is a M.Phil Scholar in the Department of International Relations at Lahore Leads University in Lahore, Pakistan.

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Published

2019-04-29

How to Cite

Ahmed, Ashfaq, and Saima Kausar. 2019. “An Illusion of the Indian Balistic Missile Defence System”. Politeja 16 (2(59):39-53. https://doi.org/10.12797/Politeja.16.2019.59.03.