Abstract:
South Asia is plagued by number of traditional and nontraditional threats, which make it fragile due to unresolved
issues, especially between its two nuclear powers, Pakistan
and India. „Imbalance‟ would be a more appropriate term
when describing the India-Pakistan equation. In straight
numerical terms of population, economics, military
manpower and equipment, India overtakes Pakistan. What
has to be understood from the outset is that the two countries
have very different military aspirations. India sees itself as a
rising regional and extra-regional power and sees military
power as a main element in this process. Like any aspiring
regional player, India also seeks potential partners such as the
United States; and is wary of potential rivals such as China
and Pakistan. Pakistan, being in an altogether different
position, seeks to deter any offense from India.1 But lately,
India has started adopting an offensive-defensive posture
which poses greater challenges to the already fragile regional
security. This paper will try to shed some light on the
regional fragility and try to understand the evolving Indian
offensive posture and its implications for Pakistan. An effort
has been made to put forward some options for Pakistan in
such eventuality.
