Defence rethinking the nuclear dimension in India-Pakistan relations.

Doctrinal asymmetry, limited escalation thresholds, and China's shadow demand a recalibration of India's strategic postures

When any two states with nuclear weapons engage in armed hostilities, a possible escalation to an exchange using nuclear weapons can never be ruled out. Therefore, in the India-Pakistan context, any conventional war will inevitably carry the seeds of a nuclear exchange. 

 Given their geographical proximity, no distinction is possible, indeed plausible, between their use of shorter-range theatre nuclear weapons and longer-range strategic weapons. Even a theatre nuclear weapon would result in massive destruction. What distinguishes a theatre weapon from a strategic one is the command-and-control mechanism applicable to the use of the weapon rather than its yield. If