{"id":151722,"date":"2025-05-09T10:08:38","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T06:08:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abcmedia.am\/?p=151722"},"modified":"2025-05-09T12:21:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T08:21:20","slug":"india-and-pakistan-dont-fight-wars-like-other-countries-says-ap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abcmedia.am\/en\/politics\/151722\/","title":{"rendered":"India and Pakistan don\u2019t fight wars like other countries, says AP"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The latest escalation follows a deadly gun attack on tourists that India blames Pakistan for — Islamabad denies any connection. But they don’t fight wars like other countries.<\/p>\n

As noted, the dominant factor is their nuclear weapons arsenal, a distinct way of deterring major attacks and a guarantee that fighting doesn’t get out of hand, even when the situation is spiraling. Their nuclear arsenals can destroy each other.<\/p>\n

Security Analyst Syed Mohammed Ali said that both countries have “deliberately developed” the size and range of their stockpile to remind the other about the guarantee of mutually assured destruction.<\/p>\n

Neither country discloses their nuclear capabilities but each is thought to have between 170 and 180 warheads that are short-, long- and medium-range. Both countries have different delivery systems — ways of launching and propelling these weapons to their targets.<\/p>\n

But the secrecy around their arsenals means that it’s unclear if Pakistan or India can survive a first nuclear strike and retaliate, something called “second-strike capability.”<\/p>\n

India and Pakistan have each laid claim to Kashmir since 1947, when both gained independence, and border skirmishes have created instability in the region for decades. Each country controls a part of Kashmir, which is divided by a heavily militarized border.<\/p>\n

Border flare-ups and militant attacks in India-controlled Kashmir have prompted New Delhi to take an increasingly tough position on Islamabad, accusing it of “terrorism.”<\/p>\n

In the latest conflict, India punished Pakistan by hitting what it said were sites used by Pakistan-backed militants linked to a gun massacre last month.<\/p>\n

India is one of the biggest defense spenders in the world, with $74.4 billion in 2025, according to the Military Balance report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies.<\/p>\n

Pakistan is no slouch, spending $10 billion last year, but it can never match India’s deep pockets. India also has more than double the number of active armed forces personnel than Pakistan does.<\/p>\n

While India’s armed forces are traditionally focused on Pakistan, it has another nuclear neighbor to contend with, China, and it is increasingly concerned with maritime security in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n

Neither Pakistan or India are in a hurry to announce their military moves against the other and, as seen in the current flare-up of hostilities, it can take a while for confirmation of strikes and retaliation to surface.<\/p>\n

But both launch operations into territories and airspace controlled by the other. Sometimes these are intended to damage checkpoints, installations, or sites allegedly used by militants.<\/p>\n

They are also aimed at embarrassing or provoking — forcing leaders to bow to public pressure and respond, with the potential for miscalculation.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"