Integrated Deterrence and Strategic Stability in South Asia

Abstract

The 21st century witnesses a significant shift in global power dynamics, with the AsiaPacific region emerging as a crucial arena for determining the trajectory of global
power transitions. The United States finds itself grappling with the ascendancy of
China, prompting the adoption of an integrated deterrence approach. This strategy
revolves around bolstering key allies, leveraging their capabilities to counter
competitors, notably China. In this context, the strategic alignment between the United
States and India within the framework of integrated deterrence raises concerns among
other regional states particularly, Pakistan and China. The collaborative efforts to
strengthen India's role could potentially elevate India’s posture, thereby unsettling the
strategic equilibrium and leading to strategic miscalculations. This article critically
examines how India is going to benefit under the integrated deterrence approach and
the implications of the US integrated deterrence approach in the South Asian region
through the theoretical lens of Strategic Stability. This study aims to delve into the
intricate interplay between the US integrated deterrence strategy and its ramifications
for the fragile security situation in South Asia. The qualitative method has been applied
in the research relying mainly on the secondary data.