India and Pakistan escalate nuclear arms race, report warns
India and Pakistan, which have been in conflict for decades, are intensifying their efforts to develop new nuclear weapon delivery technologies. These conclusions emerge from the latest report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
What you need to know
- India announced early Wednesday morning that it had launched a military operation against Pakistan, targeting "terror infrastructure" both in Pakistan and in the Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan responded by attacking Indian aircraft.
- Both countries are ramping up their work on new nuclear weapon delivery technologies, as highlighted in the SIPRI report.
- Experts note that India is concentrating on developing long-range weapons capable of reaching China, while Pakistan's primary nuclear deterrent is aimed at India.
According to Swedish experts, India currently has 172 nuclear warheads, an increase of eight since 2023. In contrast, Pakistan's arsenal remains at about 170 warheads.
The report underscores that Pakistan's primary nuclear deterrent target is India. Meanwhile, India is increasingly focusing on developing weapons with longer ranges, capable of reaching China.
No first use nuclear doctrine: India's declaration
It was noted that in 1999 India committed to a no-first-use nuclear doctrine (NFU). However, this commitment was narrowed in 2003, with changes reaffirmed in 2018. Since then, India may use nuclear forces in response to conventional weapon attacks.
According to SIPRI, in June 2023, the Indian military successfully tested the new Agni-P ballistic missile, which can carry a nuclear payload.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has not adopted an NFU doctrine. The report estimates that by 2024, the country has a small stockpile of nuclear bombs and is modernizing cruise missiles with ranges of approximately 220-370 miles, capable of carrying nuclear payloads. SIPRI also observes that in response to India's arms investments, Pakistan is enhancing its air defense systems.
Practices contrary to UN principles
India conducted its first nuclear missile test in 1974, while Pakistan followed suit in 1998.
The possession of nuclear weapons by both countries contradicts UN principles, which reserve the right to maintain nuclear arsenals to the permanent members of the Security Council: the USA, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom.
