Could India, Pakistan use nuclear weapons? Here’s what their doctrines say

Pakistan announced that it attacked several Indian military bases early on Saturday, May 10, following allegations that India had launched missiles at three Pakistani bases. This marked a significant escalation in the already heightened tensions between the two countries as they move closer to a potential all-out war.

The long-standing hostilities, primarily focused on the disputed region of Kashmir, reignited after a deadly attack on April 22 in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 25 tourists and a local guide were killed in an armed group assault. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, which Islamabad denied.

Since then, the two nations have engaged in a series of retaliatory actions that started with diplomatic measures but quickly escalated to aerial military confrontations. As both sides increase shelling and missile strikes, the prospect of a full-scale conflict looms not just for the 1.6 billion people of India and Pakistan but also for the global community. A potential all-out war between the two nuclear-armed nations would be unprecedented.

Dan Smith, director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, emphasized that while the use of nuclear weapons is unlikely, it cannot be ruled out entirely.

The article also delves into the nuclear arsenals of both India and Pakistan, detailing their stockpiles, missile capabilities, and nuclear policies. The piece examines how tensions have risen since the April attack and the potential implications of changes in their nuclear postures.