Pakistan is not enthusiastic about the NPT, although its leaders have offered conditions under which it would sign the Treaty. Like India, Pakistan also accuses the United States of discrimination in application of arms control principles. Pakistan regards the Pressler amendment as discriminatory as it holds Pakistan to a higher nonproliferation standard than Israel or India. India and Pakistan have both come to recognize the dangerous escalatory potential of their nuclear competition. The key security question is whether this condition can be sustained.
Ballistic missiles are the weapon of choice for many developing nations.
Once operational, the Agni would have sufficient range to reach targets throughout Pakistan, into parts of China, the Arabian peninsula and the Persian Gulf, and the southern portions of the former Soviet Union. The Agni could be deployed in the south, beyond the range of Pakistan's current aircraft and missiles. Either missile could reach the population and industrial centers along Pakistan's eastern border with India. Prithvi has reached the operational stage where some missiles could be deployed in positions near the Pakistani border, once the political decision is taken. This has created great anxiety in Pakistan since it could circumvent Pakistan's air defenses.