Nuclear dynamics in south asia: an analysis of strategic rivalry

International community has been advocating for elimination of nuclear weapons since 1946. The United Nations General Assembly at its very first session has discussed on need of nuclear disarmament. Nuclear trajectory remains hot topic throughout the nuclear history. In nuclear debate South Asia played significant role on both the fronts, nuclear disarmament as well as in nuclear proliferation. India remains outcast in nuclear commerce community till India –U.S. civil nuclear deal- 2008. This deal made possible for India for nuclear commerce. Even though India and Pakistan took birth as de- facto nuclear weapon states in 1998. But Indo- U.S. civil nuclear deal legitimized India as “Responsible Nuclear weapon State”, whereas Pakistan remains outcast in nuclear commerce. In other words, this deal has put existing mechanism in debate, especially the NPT. In this backdrop of nuclear politics and policies, this paper analysesimplications on regional security and stability in South Asia under existing incentives and constraints. To do this, it examines nuclear triangle between India, Pakistan and China, Indo-US strategic partnership, and India’s commitment for nuclear disarmament. Based on this analysis, this article suggests that these countries should cooperate a civil nuclear program which would arrest the pursuit of weapons. This cooperation would facilitate in curbing nuclear arms race in the region. Civil nuclear cooperation is best way forward for controllingfurther growth of the nuclear weaponprogramme. It can lead toward creating favourable environment for nuclear disarmament in Southern Asia. However, discriminatory policies of extra-regional players may intensify arms race.