India-Pakistan War 2025: Strategic Implications and Future Trajectories
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51872/prjah.vol7.Iss2.424Keywords:
Nuclear Deterrence, Stability-Instability Paradox, Security Dilemma, Nuclear Overhan, South Asian SecurityAbstract
May 2025 Four-Day War between India and Pakistan, initiated by India’s Operation Sindoor, marked a significant episode in South Asian security dynamics. Pakistan successfully repelled the Indian offensive, achieving both military and diplomatic victories. This conflict underscores the enduring relevance of nuclear deterrence, while simultaneously highlighting the persistent risk of limited conventional and sub-conventional engagements under the nuclear overhang. This study aims to analyze the strategic, operational, and diplomatic dimensions of the May 2025 conflict and explore potential future trajectories in India-Pakistan relations. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, the study will rely on secondary sources, including official statements, policy documents, military reports, scholarly analyses, and theoretical frameworks such as Security Dilemma Theory, Nuclear Deterrence Theory, Stability-Instability Paradox, and Ripeness Theory will guide the investigation. Key research questions include: (i) What geopolitical and geostrategic factors contributed to the escalation of the May 2025 conflict? (ii) How has nuclear deterrence influenced the conduct and outcome of the conflict? (iii) Does the stability-instability paradox explain the limited nature of military engagements? (iv) What policy measures could facilitate conflict resolution and de-escalation in the post-2025 context? The study fills a crucial research gap by providing a timely analysis of Pakistan’s strategic posture and the implications of India’s military modernization, while offering insights for regional stability and future crisis management.
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