Nuclearization of Indian Ocean Region Implications for Strategic Stability in South Asia

Abstract

This research focuses on nuclearization of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) by India and its impact on strategic stability between India and Pakistan. The research question addressed in this paper is how nuclearization of IOR by India can have negative implications for South Asian strategic stability? With the help of major powers through Military Logistic Support Agreements and by being a member of alliances like Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, India will have access to more sophisticated technologies in the IOR. This Indian naval nuclear and military exceptionalism will assist India to use coercive strategies and nuclear blackmail vis-à-vis Pakistan. This will negatively impact strategic stability between India and Pakistan. Pakistan will have to consequently acquire assured second-strike capability as well as, invest in antisubmarine warfare capabilities including swarms of unmanned underwater vehicles controlled by artificial intelligence. The findings indicate that as India will not revise its naval nuclear ambitions, Pakistan must work for a progressing economic outlook so that it can opt for assured second strike capability in the future. The research methodology utilized in this article is qualitative. Both primary and secondary sources of data were employed in this research. Interviews were conducted for the collection of primary data.