ISN
16 Jun 2010
Managing Asia’s Nuclear Rivalry
As China and India enter new stages in nuclear arsenal development, including ICBM capabilities and plans for a nuclear-armed submarine fleet, strategic dialogue is needed to reduce the risk of political tension caused by mutual uncertainty, Frank O’Donnell comments for ISN Security Watch.
Frank O'Donnell
Frank O'Donnell
ISN Security Watch
The US stands at the center of China’s nuclear threat perception. China feels threatened by American ballistic missile defense plans. Its recent anti-satellite tests were partly an effort to signal resolve against this perceived challenge. Recently deployed DF-31A ICBMs, with a range of over 11,000 kilometers, intend to restore mutual deterrence to the Sino-American strategic relationship.
