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12 J. Pol. Stud. 1 (2007)

handle is hein.journals/jlo12 and id is 1 raw text is: 

Journal of Political Studies


         Nuclearization of South Asia and  the Future of Non-Proliferation


                                Dr. Nazir Hussain*


                                     Abstract

        The  global  concerns  regarding  the dangers   posed  by  nuclear
        proliferation have aggravated since Pakistan  and India joined the
        nuclear club as de-facto members.   The NPT   was  introduced as a
        cornerstone to curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons, however, it
        has  lost is efficacy because of  the super  powers  interests and
        priorities. Current status  of  South  Asia,  where   the  nuclear
        conundrum   prevails, is the result of fluctuating US Non-Proliferation
        policy towards the region. However,  NPT  is the only effective tool
        available to contain the aspirations of more states to follow the South
        Asian example.  Therefore, international community should device a
        comprehensive  strategy for the imposition of true spirit of NPT both
        vertically and horizontally. This paper covers three areas concerning
        nuclear proliferation; the evolution of non-proliferation efforts, the
        implications of South Asian  nuclearization and the future of non-
        proliferation in the wake of South Asian nuclearization.


I have  in mind  the spiritual aberration that I call nuclearism, the exaggerated
dependence   upon, even worship of, nuclear weapons. We  embrace  the weapons  for
purpose  of safety and security, and seek  in them a  means  of keeping  the world
going, a form of salvation. Nuclear winter contributes to our imagination by making it
clear that the end point of nuclearism is extinction.'
                                                                   Robert J. Lifton

In the contemporary security environment, the most potent challenge to global peace
and security is the spread of nuclear weapons. The international security environment
remained  tense during the 40  years of the Cold War  under  the fear of a possible
nuclear war. The end of the Cold War mitigated the fear of nuclear annihilation but the
global concerns were  revived by the nuclearization of the South Asia in May  1998
when  India conducted  its nuclear tests and Pakistan followed suit to maintain the
regional balance of power.  The  instruments of US  nuclear non-proliferation policy,
sanctions and  incentives towards  South  Asia appeared   to have  failed.2 The US
imposed  mandatory  sanctions and had  identified five bench marks for their removal;3
1) Curb on further development or deployment of nuclear capable missiles and aircraft
2) Accession  to Comprehensive   Test Ban  Treaty (CTBT)  3) Participation in Fissile
Material Cut  off Treaty (FMCT)  negotiations 4) Curbs  on  the transfer of nuclear
technology  and hardware,  and  5) India and Pakistan dialogue  on normalization of
relations.




Author is Assistant Professor at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
                                         1

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