THE NUCLEARIZATION OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN AND THE QUEST FOR PEACE IN SOUTH ASIA: RESPONSE AND APPREHENSIONS OF THE WEST

Abstract

Incontemporary global politics, possession of nuclear armamentsbya stateis considered as one of the most sensitive issues. Owing to the destructive capacity which a state can achieve after acquiring nuclear weapons, world powersnot only show their concern but respond with threats of sanctions and diplomatic isolationto the country seeking to build or acquire them. The risk of nuclear proliferation becomes a critical issuein case a developing country aspires to become a nuclear power.The world was aghast by an unprecedented catastrophe when the United States –the only state which has so far used its nuclear weapons –dropped two nuclear bombs onJapannearing the end oftheSecond World War which killed several thousand people. The aftereffects of the nuclear bombs lingered in the country for several decades, causing harm to humans, animals and the environment on a large scale. Though many more countries developed nuclear weapons after the Second World War no state has ever used itagainst another.