Things weren't 'supposed to be this way - or at least that was India's 'calculation when it unbottled the nuclear genie in May 1998 by 'conducting underground nuclear tests. And rather than making the subcontinent more secure, many experts 'on the region now agree, India and Pakistan's open possession of 'the bomb appears to have raised the risk of limited wars that 'could spiral out of control. Smaller, weaker Pakistan has been emboldened to view its nuclear 'arsenal as a magic shield that will protect it from harm even if 'it endlessly gores India, the dominant power in South Asia. Indian Army Chief Gen V.P. Mallik told the Times that India 'could cross the Line of Control separating the Indian and 'Pakistani portions of Kashmir if hostilities broke out again. There will 'be another provocation.
Somebody blows up something big and India 'says, 'That's it,' and takes out targets.
Then you're on your 'way. Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh had come up 'with the argument that since nuclear deterrant had worked in the 'case of the West, it would work in the case of the subcontinent 'as well. The exception was the Cuban 'missile crisis of 1962. With President Clinton planning to visit India this spring, 'US diplomats are trying to get India and Pakistan back to the 'negotiating table. Since then, 'India has aggressively pushed for the United States and other 'nations to declare Pakistan a terrorist nation, isolating it as a pariah.