Nuclear Neighbors on Edge: The Enduring Conflict Between India and Pakistan

The acquisition of nuclear weapons by both India and Pakistan has fundamentally altered the strategic landscape of the subcontinent. India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, and Pakistan followed suit in 1998, officially declaring themselves nuclear-armed states. This development introduced a new dimension of deterrence, often referred to as the "nuclear umbrella," where the possession of such devastating weapons theoretically discourages large-scale conventional warfare due to the catastrophic consequences of potential nuclear retaliation. However, this deterrence is a delicate balance, susceptible to miscalculation, misinterpretation, and escalation spirals.