Indian perspective on missile developments
According to Dr. Manpreet Sethi, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi, credible nuclear deterrence presupposes the availability and integration of certain essential components that collectively constitute a nuclear arsenal. Delivery systems, deployable across a variety of platforms and of requisite range and reliability, are one such critical element. Accordingly, in the last decade the three nuclear-armed states in Southern Asia à ˆ' China, India and Pakistan à ˆ' have been engaged in developing missiles that they consider necessary to support their respective deterrent needs.
It is evident that the offensive and defensive missile forces of China, India and Pakistan are more capable and varied than they were a decade ago. As each country's inventories evolve, they will inevitably impact the others' threat perceptions and potential responses. Based on how the developments across the borders are perceived, counteractions could be taken, leading to a chain of action and reaction, Dr. Sethi argues.
The nuclear-armed adversaries, India and Pakistan, have fought three wars, two of them over the disputed Kashmir region.
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