Book Review

Abstract

This book is an exhaustive historical account of the nuclear security of India and Pakistan which has brought the South Asian region at the peril of a nuclear holocaust. The author draws the theme of his book from four ‘prerequisites’ required for the success of a nuclear deterrence. He pin points that there are four assumptions required for a successful nuclear deterrence in a region which include “prevention of conventional war, second strike capability, avoidance of accidental nuclear wars and safety of nuclear weapons” (pp 267,268). He then concludes that all four are “ missing in the context of South Asia” (p.268) due to the ambiguity surrounding their nuclear programs, fear of past hostilities, allurement of preemptive strike, lack of effective command and control mechanisms and the prevalent social and political turmoil in the region. He discusses all these issues at length in his book.