April 2, 2025 5:07 am
Full News

Navigating the Growing Risk of Naval Nuclear Deterrence and Cooperation Between India and Pakistan

India and Pakistan Naval Forces Navigate Growing Nuclear Deterrence and Cooperation in Indian Ocean

Nature of Contestation

Despite the traditionally antagonistic posture of the Indian and Pakistani Navies, fueled by broader bilateral tensions, both forces face similar nontraditional threats in the Indian Ocean. The region’s growing complexity is exacerbated by the increasing presence of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), pushing the Indian Navy to reassess its naval strategies, especially concerning Pakistan-China cooperation.

On August 29, 2024, the Indian Navy commissioned the INS Arighaat, its second nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed submarine (SSBN), advancing India’s sea-based deterrent capabilities. This submarine complements the INS Arihant, which had already proven India’s nuclear capabilities back in 2016. With rising naval challenges from neighboring Pakistan and China, the increase in India’s naval deterrent highlights the growing security dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). In this context, the Indian Navy has expanded its multilateral engagements, notably through Exercise Malabar and strengthened partnerships with key Western allies like the United States.

Pakistan’s nuclear-capable naval forces are less clear in comparison. The ambiguity surrounding Pakistan’s naval deterrent has drawn attention, particularly in the context of its broader undeclared nuclear doctrine. While India’s nuclear submarine fleet is becoming more advanced, Pakistan’s naval deterrence remains under development.

Scope for Cooperation

Despite ongoing political tensions, the Indian and Pakistani Navies have occasionally cooperated on nontraditional issues, especially concerning Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). Recent operations included reciprocal rescues in 2024 when the Pakistani Navy rescued four Indian nationals, and the Indian Navy saved 23 Pakistanis from distressed vessels in the Arabian Sea. These acts of cooperation, albeit under distressing circumstances, underscore the potential for greater naval interactions.

Incidents at Sea (INCSEA)

A longstanding recommendation from South Asian maritime experts is for the implementation of an Incidents at Sea Agreement, similar to the U.S.-USSR model from 1972. Such an agreement would help ensure safe navigation for both countries’ naval vessels and aircraft, reducing the risk of accidental escalation. The importance of such agreements was acknowledged in the 1999 Lahore Declaration, which stressed the need for preventing incidents at sea post-nuclearization.

Bilateral Naval Interactions

Looking ahead, regardless of political relations, India and Pakistan would benefit from investing in more substantial naval engagements, particularly in recognizing the mutual nuclear risks present within their ongoing territorial disputes. The two nations’ Coast Guards already have a history of dialogue and an operational hotline (2003-2018), creating a foundation for future collaborations.

Both navies continue to engage through the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a grouping of 25 Indian Ocean littoral states that meets biennially. India’s upcoming chairmanship of the symposium (2025-2027) presents an opportunity for New Delhi to facilitate broader discussions aimed at reducing sea-based incidents and establishing cooperative protocols in the event of accidents, implicitly addressing the nuclear risk in the process.

Related News
Josh O’Connor Joins Cast of Spielberg’s New Film
President-elect Donald Trump Inherits a Strong Economy Amidst Divided Nation
Zelensky Calls on Allies to Fulfill Promises of Arms Supply
Aditya-L1: India’s Solar Mission Paves the Way for Space Weather Protection
What did the U.S. advisor discuss with Modi?
Justin Bieber Opens Up About Struggles Amid Fan Concerns
Related Posts
The Rise of Islamist Extremism in Bangladesh: Political Instability and Global Influences
Bangladesh at a Crossroads: The Rise of Religious Conservatism Amid Political Transition
U.S. to Honor Controversial Bangladeshi Protesters, Sparks Debate
State Dept: No Recipient to Accept Madeleine Albright Group Award at IWOC
Are Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, and Other Seasoned Journalists’ Cases Finally Getting Congressional Attention?
Iran-U.S. Relations: A Timeline of Tensions and Turning Points
More News

US Air Force Base Closes Airspace Due to Drone Activity

Authorities temporarily restricted airspace over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a key U.S. military installation, for nearly four hours late Friday and early Saturday following reports of drone activity. The base, located near Dayton, Ohio, took precautions to monitor the situation, according to Bob Purtiman, chief of public affairs for the 88th Air Base Wing. The […]

Indian Foreign Secretary Briefs Lawmakers on Bangladesh Visit

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of External Affairs today, two days after concluding his visit to Dhaka. During his visit, he held discussions with top leaders of Bangladesh’s interim government, including Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The briefing took place at the parliament annex building in New Delhi […]

Gaza Reconstruction Will Require $530 Billion: United Nations

After 15 months of relentless Israeli aggression and attacks, the Palestinian Gaza Strip has turned into ruins. The reconstruction of this besieged territory and the response to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the war-torn region will require more than $530 billion. This information was revealed in a United Nations report. The news agency Anadolu reported […]

A Saudi Woman Achieves a Ph.D. Despite Being a Mother of 19 Children

After marriage and childbirth, many women step away from education. Some sacrifice their dreams due to childcare responsibilities or societal pressures. In many Muslim-majority countries, societal and religious norms often place the responsibility of household duties on women, while men are expected to earn a living. However, breaking these stereotypes, Saudi Arabia’s Hamda Al-Ruwaili has […]

Jessore Road: 1971

Short Story By Sahadat Russell The day I told the story to a friend, we were sitting by the stone steps of a pond to the north of Agradoot High School’s field. Alongside the killing and relentless death marches of 1971, another silent procession trudged on through Jessore Road toward the Indian border, a procession […]

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Vows to Eradicate TTP for Socio-Economic Growth

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared on Friday that the government is resolute in its mission to eliminate the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for the sake of Pakistan’s socio-economic advancement.Recently, Pakistan has seen a rise in terror incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the collapse of a tentative ceasefire with the TTP. In 2024, […]

200 Earthquakes in Santorini: Tourists and Locals in Panic

Over the past few days, nearly 200 earthquakes with a magnitude of 3 or higher have been recorded, according to Reuters. The famous Greek tourist island of Santorini and its surrounding areas have experienced more than 200 earthquakes, causing fear among both locals and tourists. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged people to remain […]

The Melting Borders of High Mountains: Climate Change’s Profound Impact

Glaciers, the frozen giants atop mountain ranges, are retreating at alarming rates. The effects of their disappearance ripple across ecosystems, economies, and even international borders, redefining landscapes and human relationships with nature. On an autumn day at the Hochjochferner Glacier, straddling Austria and Italy at 3,000 meters above sea level, the impact of global warming […]

Russia Condemns Britain’s New Sanctions as “Illegitimate” and “Futile”

London, United Kingdom – Russia’s embassy in London has denounced Britain’s latest package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, calling them “illegitimate” and asserting that many of those targeted have no connection to the conflict. On Monday, Britain announced what it described as its largest package of sanctions against Russia since the […]

WHO Calls for China to Share Data to Understand Covid-19 Origins

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday called on China to share data and provide access to understand the origins of Covid-19, five years after the pandemic began. The virus has killed millions, disrupted economies, and overwhelmed health systems globally. “We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand […]