The evolving nuclear-weapons order in South Asia is remarkably striking. The region’s nuclear weapon states — India and Pakistan — have, since the start ofthe twenty-first century, been following the rival ‘credible minimum deterrence’ and ‘full spectrum pathways to secure strategic stability. The diametrically opposite or rival posture, however widens the spectre of a nuclear-flash and increases the plausibility of a holocaust. In fact, they call into question the true intention ofthe parties and cast a shadow of doubt over the pledge to use nuclear weapons as ‘the instrument oflast resort’. This paper deciphers India’s ‘credible minimum deterrence’; disentangles Pakistan’s ‘full spectrum; and examines the resultant consequences. It argues that the rival deterrent postures are the result of mutually reinforcing elements present in the respective nuclear paradigms.
