DISARMAMENT IN SOUTH ASIA: ISSUES AND IMPEDIMENTS

This analytical study examines the challenges and prospects for disarmament in South Asia during the early 1990s, analyzing the complex security dynamics that have constrained arms control and disarmament initiatives in the region. The article explores the historical context of arms accumulation in South Asia, examining how colonial legacies, partition conflicts, and subsequent wars have shaped contemporary security dilemmas. The research investigates the nuclear dimension of South Asian security, analyzing the nuclear capabilities and doctrines of India and Pakistan and assessing the prospects for nuclear arms control. The study examines conventional military balances and arms racing dynamics, including the impact of external arms supplies and indigenous defense production on regional stability. The article assesses existing confidence-building measures and arms control initiatives, evaluating their effectiveness and identifying limitations. The research also analyzes the relationship between internal conflicts, external security concerns, and disarmament prospects in the region. Furthermore, the analysis proposes a comprehensive framework for advancing disarmament and building sustainable security architecture in South Asia.

Disarmament represents one of the most challenging issues in South Asian international relations, with this article providing a comprehensive analysis of the issues and impediments during the early 1990s. The research begins by examining the historical context of arms accumulation in South Asia, tracing how colonial military legacies, the trauma of partition, and subsequent interstate conflicts created persistent security dilemmas and arms racing dynamics. The analysis explores the nuclear dimension of South Asian security, examining the nuclear capabilities of India and Pakistan, their evolving nuclear doctrines, and the regional and global implications of nuclearization. The article investigates conventional military balances, analyzing force structures, defense spending patterns, and arms acquisition trends that contribute to regional instability. The study examines existing confidence-building measures and arms control initiatives, including various bilateral agreements, hotline arrangements, and nuclear risk reduction measures, assessing their implementation and effectiveness. The research analyzes the impact of external factors on South Asian disarmament prospects, including the roles of major powers, arms suppliers, and international regimes in shaping regional security dynamics. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article develops a multi-track framework for advancing disarmament in South Asia that addresses nuclear risks, conventional force imbalances, conflict resolution, and regional cooperation. The findings provide valuable insights into the complex security challenges facing South Asia and contribute to understanding the conditions necessary for building sustainable peace and security architecture in one of the world's most densely populated and conflict-prone regions.