India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons primarily as a means of deterrence and security against each other and other regional powers. India developed nuclear weapons to deter its neighbors, especially Pakistan and China, due to long- standing border disputes and regional security concerns. Pakistan started its nuclear weapons program in response to India's advancing nuclear capabilities and its military defeats, aiming to balance India’s conventional and nuclear military superiority. India's nuclear weapons program began with civilian nuclear research supported by foreign partnerships but evolved into a weaponization program to establish credible minimum deterrence against regional threats. India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974 and officially declared itself a nuclear state after further tests in 1998. Pakistan, feeling existentially threatened by India, accelerated its nuclear weapons program from 1972 onward, particularly after India's 1974 test, and conducted its nuclear tests in 1998 as well. Both countries possess nuclear arsenals with India estimated to have about 130-180 warheads and Pakistan about 150-170 warheads. India's doctrine has been based on credible minimum deterrence and no-first-use policy, whereas Pakistan has a less explicit doctrine and does not adhere to a no-first-use policy, emphasizing battlefield nuclear weapons to offset India's conventional military superiority. This nuclear weapons development emerged from their turbulent history since independence in 1947, including multiple wars and ongoing territorial conflicts, notably over Kashmir, resulting in a security dilemma and arms race between the two.
