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Road to Chagai: Pakistan's Nuclear Programme, Its Sources and Motivations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 September 2002

Bhumitra Chakma
Bhumitra Chakma
Affiliation:
Dhaka University
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Abstract

Pakistan carried out six nuclear explosions on 28 and 30 May 1998 at the Chagai test site in reaction to India's conduct of five nuclear tests about two weeks earlier. Expectedly, the tests provoked strong international condemnation. On the eve of, and following the tests, Islamabad pointed out that its action was basically reactive to the Indian tests and necessary to ensure the survival of Pakistan. Indeed, since the 1960s, if not the 1950s, Islamabad has pursued an India-reactive nuclear policy. India's nuclear activities have basically shaped Pakistan's nuclear policy and postures. Hence, not surprisingly, when India decided to unveil its ’nuclear purdah‘, Pakistan immediately followed suit.

Type
Research Article
Information
Modern Asian Studies , Volume 36 , Issue 4 , October 2002 , pp. 871 - 912
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

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