Proponents Say: Stabilize India's and Pakistan's Nuclear Relationship.
In light of the continuing military confrontation in India and Pakistan, the United States should
encourage nuclear restraint and
dialogue,and help India
and Pakistan develop a stable nuclear deterrence
relationship.
Provide unclassified assistance on nuclear weapon safety and security and
on nuclear use doctrine to both
countries.
Due to heightened tension and
increased military deployment along the border, encourage de-alert
status (warheads and missiles deployed separately) in both countries.
Support the vision of minimal deterrent forces rather than an open-ended
arms race in India and Pakistan,and encourage both countries to closely
define what they mean by minimum deterrence and then negotiate with both governments
to freeze their respective arsenals.
Opponents
Say: U.S. Assistance Would Undermine Nuclear Non-Proliferation Policy.
Encouraging a nuclear deterrence strategy approach is a particularly undesirable
because it gives the impression that the United States endorses the expansion
of India's and Pakistan's nuclear and missile capabilities.
Officials in India and Pakistan would take assistance or advice from the
United States as tantamount to welcoming them into the nuclear club.
The United States must continue to express its strong disapproval of the
nuclear and missile activities of both countries and do nothing that would
undermine this policy.
Neither country has requested assistance in developing a nuclear use doctrine.
Nuclear use doctrines are closely guarded secrets. By sharing operational
concepts, the United States would be encouraging nuclear use.
