PROSPECTS OF LIMITED WAR BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN

Abstract

Since long India had been claiming space for conventional war between India and Pakistan in South
Asia. After the two countries became nuclear power, India was restricted to launch a full-fledged war
against Pakistan in the four crises between 1987 and 2002. India, therefore, seriously contemplated
other options including to prepare for limited war against Pakistan. It introduced Cold Start Doctrine
(CSD) in 2004 with the idea of launching a limited war against Pakistan. Under CSD, India planned to
launch a quick and fast operation on Pakistan on the short notice of 72 hours to put maximum
damage and then move its troops back to Indian mainland. Pakistan, on perceiving the threat and
identifying the gap at the tactical level, went for the manufacture of nuclear weapons and stopped
Indian pursuing the path of limited war. This article explores the limited war phenomena by using
qualitative methodology and rich data collected through semi structured interviews from expert
informants. This article clarifies that the possibility of limited war is present between India and
Pakistan and there are significant chances that the limited war can be sustained in the region.