英文摘要 |
Since India and Pakistan conducted their nuclear tests in May 1998, the international community has been concerned about a possible nuclear exchange between the two countries should their conflict over Kashmir intensify. Some fear that a nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan might result from their respective nuclear tests. Yet, drawing upon nuclear deterrence theory and considerations of why states developnuclear weapons, this paper argues that the fact that both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons may further restrain both countries in their military conflict over Kashmir. This is because domestic politics, scientific and technological achievements, as well as a concern for national security have become driving forces for developing nuclear weapons in India. Pakistan, moreover, 'went nuclear' very much for the same reason. In order to maintain a muclear balance between India and Pakistan, the five nuclear powers need to adopt a new way of thinking to deal with the development of nuclear weapons in both countries. At the same time , it is also important for the United Nations and regional organizations such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation to mediate the dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. |