BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEM AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR STRATEGIC STABILITY IN SOUTH ASIA: A CASE STUDY OF INDIA

Author: Pinki Roy

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2016v37n3a2

ABSTRACT

The technological evolution and proliferation of ballistic missile defence (BMD) systems in the last two decades have ushered in the beginning of a new wave of strategic concern amongst security experts. The BMD attempts to unbalance the global strategic stability primarily founded on the strategy of nuclear retaliation.President George W. Bush administration further aggravated this threat to the global security order when he unilaterally withdrew the support of the United States (US) from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. The approach of the US to strengthen its defence system has pushed other states to either pursue their own costly BMD system or reassure themselves through some new offensive strategies such as increasing number of nuclear arsenals. South Asia has not remained untouched from these global developments. In recent years, this region has witnessed a rapid proliferation of defensive and offensive ballistic missiles. This article aims to analyse the functioning of BMD system and its causal relation to the nuclear deterrence. In the context of South Asia, it seeks to explore the triangular strategic relationship among India, China and Pakistan within the broader framework of their BMD system.