Decoding Strategic Instability in South Asia: An Analysis of the Indian Missile Defense System

Authors

  • Dr. Tauqeer Hussain Sargana Assistant Professor, Department of Politics and International Relations, International Islamic University Islamabad
  • Dr. Mujahid Hussain Faculty Advisor, International Open University, Gambia
  • Ghulam Hussain Abid Sipra Senior Lecturer, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Bahria University Islamabad.

Keywords:

South Asia, strategic instability, Indian Missile Defense System, regional security, nuclear deterrence, geopolitical dynamics, strategic missiles, MIRV systems, S-400 SAM.

Abstract

This study encompasses a comprehensive analysis of South Asia's strategic landscape, focusing on the Indian Missile Defense System (IMDS) and its implications for regional stability. Beginning with an examination of historical conflicts and the role of nuclear weapons in shaping strategic calculus, the study delves into theoretical frameworks to understand the dimensions of strategic instability in the region. Through an in-depth overview of the IMDS, including its development, components, and strategic objectives, the research evaluates its effectiveness and potential impact on regional stability. The study also assesses the challenges and limitations faced by the IMDS, providing insights into its implications for India-Pakistan nuclear deterrence dynamics. Furthermore, the research explores the diverse implications of the IMDS for regional security and stability, analyzing China. It highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play and offers policy recommendations aimed at enhancing regional stability and reducing strategic tensions. Moreover, the study discusses the significance of Indian strategic missiles, including their deployment and capabilities, as well as the introduction of MIRV systems and the acquisition of the S-400 SAM. By synthesizing these elements, the research aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the strategic instability in South Asia and the role of the IMDS in shaping regional dynamics.

References

Ahmed, A., & Kausar, S. (2019). An Illusion of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defense System. Politeja, (59), 39-53.

Ahmed, S. (2023). Regional Security Complex Theory: The South Asian Context. Global Politics Journal, 1(1), 13-27.

Babar, S. I., & Abbasi, A. H. (2023). Emerging Technologies and the Threat to South Asian Security. CISS Insight Journal, 11(2), P25-36.

Babar, S. I., & Mirza, M. N. (2021). Indian strategic doctrinal transformation: Trends and trajectory. Journal of Security and Strategic Analyses, 6(2).

Bukhari, S. S. H. (2020). Pakistan’s Security and the India–US Strategic Partnership: Nuclear Politics and Security Competition. Routledge.

Cernat, R. (2023). The Potential Represented by Missile Defence–Emerging and Disruptive Technology–in the Global Power Balance. Romanian Military Thinking, (3), 56-77.

Chiriac, C. (2023). The S-400 “Triumf”: Between Expectations and Results. Bulletin of" Carol I" National Defence University (EN), 12(04), 41-53.

Feng, C. (2018). An analysis on the geopolitical pattern and regional situation in South Asia. Annual Report on the Development of the Indian Ocean Region (2017) The Belt and Road Initiative and South Asia, 175-209.

Ghale, P. (2015). Asymmetric power balance and its implications for regionalism in South Asia (Doctoral dissertation, Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School).

Ghoshal, D. (2024). Historical and Contemporary Missile Development: Nuclear Weapon States, Regional Powers and Other Powers. In Role of Ballistic and Cruise Missiles in International Security (pp. 69-143). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

Gupta, A. (2024). Preparing for a two-front conflict: The role of the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. Comparative Strategy, 1-13.

Haider, Usman & Khan, Abdul Moiz. (2023, November 18). Why Did Pakistan Test Its MIRV- Capable Ababeel Missile? Retrieved from: https://thediplomat.com/2023/11/why-did- pakistan-test-its-mirv-capable-ababeel-missile/

Huth, P. K. (1999). Deterrence and international conflict: Empirical findings and theoretical debates. Annual Review of Political Science, 2(1), 25-48.

Jaspal, Dr. Zafar Nawaz. (2024, March 15). India’s New Missiles Increase South Asia’s Nuclear Arms Race. Arab News. Retrieved from: https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2477276

Joshi, Y., & Mukherjee, A. (2020). Offensive defense: India’s strategic responses to the rise of China. In Routledge Handbook of China–India Relations (pp. 227-239). Routledge.

Khan, F., & Saeed, K. (2020). Threat Asymmetry and Transition in Deterrence: Technical Assessment of India’s Ballistic Missile Defense Shield. Journal of South Asian Studies, 8(1), 13-24.

Khan, Y. (2017b). The Great Partition: The Making of India and Pakistan. Yale University Press.

Khan, Z. (2017a). India's Ballistic Missile Defense: Implications for South Asian Deterrence Stability. The Washington Quarterly, 40(3), 187-202.

Khan, Z. (2019). Balancing and stabilizing South Asia: challenges and opportunities for sustainable peace and stability. International Journal of Conflict Management, 30(5), 589-614.

Lieberherr, B. (2024). India’s Limited Room for Maneuver: How New Delhi Addresses Its Strategic and Critical Vulnerabilities vis-à-vis China and Russia after the Galwan Clash and Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine. CSS Studies.

Mahmood, A., & Sultan, A. (2021). Impact of India’s ISR Capabilities on South Asian Security Dynamics. Strategic Studies, 41(4), 17-39.

Nagappa, R., & Natesan, R. (2020). Changing Nature of Deterrence: The Challenge of Asymmetric Threats. National Security, 3(2), 213-231.

Naseer, N., Khan, M. F., & Raza, A. (2023). A comparative view of India and Pakistan’s defence capabilities: Historical evolution and future trends. Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, 8(1), 214-227.

Padder, S., & Shah, A. G. (2024). The Legacy of India's Partition: A Story of Violence and Migration in Jammu & Kashmir. In Migration, Memories, and the" Unfinished" Partition (pp. 170-188). Routledge India.

Pradhan, S. M. (2018). Scope and Challenges of ‘Make in India’to India’s National Security (Doctoral dissertation).

Raas, W. (2006). A thousand suns: political motivations for nuclear weapons testing (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

Rana, A. (2018). Challenges to Strategic Stability in South Asia. Strategic Studies, 38(2), 1-20.

Rana, A. A. (2021). Admissibility of Dying Declaration as Evidence: The Case of Pakistan. IUP Law Review, 11(4).

Rana, A. A., Ali, A., & Hussain, Z. (2022). UNIFICATION OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (CG) MODEL IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND BREXIT: AN ANALYTICAL VIEW. Pakistan Journal of Social Research, 4(2), 626-634.

Rana, A. A., Naul, A. H. K., Gujjar, U. A., & Zulfiqar, F. (2022). Admissibility and Evidentiary Value of Electronic Evidence in Criminal Cases: A Case Study of Pakistan. Available at SSRN 4261350.

Rana, A. A., Tirmazi, Dr. S. M. S., Fatima, Dr. K., Ahmad, Dr. I., & Zulfiqar, F. (2023). Al-Qanṭara, 9(4), 91–104. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1234/aq.v9i4.337

Raza, I., & Mehmood, N. (2023). Hypersonic Weapon Systems–A New Wave of Arms Race in the Indian Ocean Region. Margalla Papers, 27(1), 28-39.

Reinhardt, J. C. (2018). A Probabilistic Analysis of the Risk of Nuclear Deterrence Failure. Stanford University.

Shams-uz-Zaman. (2018). Developments in Indian Missile Program: Options for Pakistan. Policy Perspectives: The Journal of the Institute of Policy Studies, 15(1), 43-61.

Sheehan, M. (2004). The balance of power: history & theory. Routledge.

Tahirkheli, A. I. (2022). India’s Strategic Force Modernization and Its Implications on Strategic Environment of Pakistan. Strategic Thought, 4(1), 155-171.

Trachtenberg, D. J., Dodge, M., & Payne, K. B. (2021). The “Action-Reaction” Arms Race Narrative vs. Historical Realities. Comparative Strategy, 40(6), 521-562.

Vaishnav, M. (2024). Institutional Roots of India's Security Policy. Oxford University Press.

Zulfiqar, F. (2022). Global cobweb Cybercrimes in the borderless world A comparative perspective with special reference to USA, Canada and Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Law, Analysis and Wisdom, 1(02), 65–81. Retrieved from https://pjlaw.com.pk/index.php/Journal/article/view/10

Zulfiqar, F. (2023). The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018: A literature Review of Prominent Literature. Pakistan Journal of Law, Analysis and Wisdom, 2(00), 35–48. Retrieved from https://pjlaw.com.pk/index.php/Journal/article/view/46

Downloads

Published

31.03.2024

How to Cite

Decoding Strategic Instability in South Asia: An Analysis of the Indian Missile Defense System. (2024). PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF LAW, ANALYSIS AND WISDOM, 3(3), 1-13. https://pjlaw.com.pk/index.php/Journal/article/view/v3i3-1-13

Similar Articles

1-10 of 183

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.