Stimson Center’s Visiting Fellow Zawar Haider Abidi examines the nature of the conventional military imbalance between India and Pakistan. He evaluates both countries’ personnel strength, weapons systems, force posture, and projected procurements and advances in military technologies. Concluding that India’s conventional military superiority vis a vis Pakistan seriously threatens the latter’s security, Abidi proposes a series of measures for the two countries to implement to reduce the conventional military threat. These include the conclusion of an agreement to demilitarize the Siachen Glacier and revert to its pre-1984 status, the formation of a Joint Consultative Group to resolve misunderstandings related to current agreements, and the establishment of low military zones or no military zones. Reduction of the conventional military threat will in turn greatly diminish the chances of nuclear escalation in South Asia.
The Stimson Center’s programming on escalation control in South Asia includes commissioned essays to explore topics related to deterrence and crisis stability on the subcontinent. Stimson Center Visiting Fellows also produce essays during their stay with us. Many different points of view will be explored. The posting of essays on the Stimson Center website should not be construed as an endorsement of them by the Stimson Center.
The author is the Assistant Director Equivalent, Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs, Strategic Plans Division, JSHQ