Nuclear Risk Reduction Between India and Pakistan

Excerpt:  “A quarter century since the overt nuclearization of India and Pakistan, a fragile nuclear confidence building regime exists between the adversarial neighbors. India and Pakistan negotiated these nuclear confidence building measures (NCBMs) to encourage transparency, build trust, prevent misunderstandings, avoid misinterpretations, and mitigate nuclear risks. However, smooth implementation of NCBMs hinges on both states recognizing the value of trust-building and transparency. Amidst their deteriorated dialogue, there is a risk of complacency in meeting bilateral obligations, potentially leading to the abandonment of agreements. The reversible nature of existing NCBMs and minimal repercussions for either state increase the likelihood of this outcome. Moreover, there are persistent dangers of catastrophic escalation of crises rooted in misperception.”