Abstract
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine provides us with evidence of the importance of cyberweapons in modern warfare. Cyberweapons are thickening the fog of war, creating new avenues for inter-state competition. As India and Pakistan have been engaged in a rivalry for the past seventy-five years, cyberweapons can play an important role in the future of this enmity. This research signifies the ramification of cyberweapons on strategic stability between two nuclear armed states. Cyberweapons are exacerbating risks to nuclear weapons that can lead to both advertent and inadvertent nuclear escalation. The question addressed in this paper is Why Pakistan and India need to manage their rivalry in the domain of cyberwarfare? The methodology used for this research is qualitative with both primary and secondary data sources. This research has utilized case study research design with taking India-Pakistan relations as the case. There are two potential pathways for India and Pakistan to manage their rivalry in cyber domain. These are cyber deterrence and cyber CBMs. However, shortcomings are attached to both pathways and only by taking them together they can complement each other and work as risk reduction measures. Both these pathways are explained, and a way forward is provided that can be undertaken by India and Pakistan to reduce the risks posed in the cyber domain.
The final draft is accessible on the link: https://ciss.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Cyber-Deterrence-and-CBMs.pdf
This article was published in the Journal of Asian and African Studies. the final version is accessible on the link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00219096251332932
Abdul Moiz Khan is Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad.
Ms Anum A. Khan is Associate Director Research at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad.
