What has been the impact of introduction of nuclear weapons in the sub-continent?
Nuclear weapons are not something new, but the ambiguity about their existence has been removed. There was a perceptible threat by Pakistan during the Kargil conflict that it may use nukes, but it never did. This highlights the fact that in the present context nukes are likely to be used as a threat-in-being, but their use is neither advisable nor acceptable. No sane or responsible government will resort to the use of nukes. They are basically for deterrence. There has been no direct impact on the way of fighting a conventional war, but to cater to any eventuality we do study doctrines and passive protective measures. What changes have been effected in our strategy and commitments after the Kargil conflict ? Are there indications of such intrusions being repeated? Every war is peculiar. Kargil was a war of its own kind, fought at the highest altitude. It brought out certain lessons that in case we have to fight at that level, then how to manage it in terms of equipment and tactics. In
