REVISITING NUCLEAR SECURITY BETWEEN INDIA-PAKISTAN: NUCLEAR RISK REDUCTION MEASURES

Abstract

This paper has laid emphasis on the Rajive Gandhi Action Plan for nuclear disarmament made in December 1985. The essential features of the Plan are; First, a binding commitment by all nations to eliminate nuclear weapons. Second, all nations must participate in the process. Third, there should be tangible progress at each stage. Fourth, changes are necessary in the mindset, institutions, and doctrines to “sustain a world free of nuclear weapons. The elaborate features of Plan paved the way for Nuclear Risk Reduction Measures between India and Pakistan. Towards this objective NRR, the first agreement on not attacking each other’s nuclear installations and facilities was signed in 1988. Rajive Action Plan has offered tremendous help in avoiding any crisis as also in crisis mitigation. More than that, it provided the guiding light for further initiatives in India-Pakistan relations, including making further Nuclear Risk Reduction Measures. The NRRM can help to address the dangers between geographically contiguous states. NRR measures may help India and Pakistan to divest the nuclear energy for developmental purposes. NRRM is further important to prevent nuclear weapons or facilities falling into the hands of terrorists. This paper has invoked the historical era of Silver Lining cooperation between India and Pakistan on Nuclear weapons and Nuclear Risks.