ABSTRACT
The nuclear tests in South Asia in May 1998 highlighted the nature of the Indo-Pak relationship. Specifically, they illustrated the insecurity within Pakistan vis-~-vis India, with Pakistan's foreign policy essentially responsive to an Indian action. Even though India's official explanations for testing cited China as the reason, Pakistan perceived the second r ound of nuclear testing by India in twenty-five years as endangering its security. This was not entirely surprising or unexpected, as Pakistan and India have been locked in a state of mutual distrust over the last (jfty years. The existence of each has contrad icted the basis of creation of the other. ' Then.~ an.~ differing views on the roots of the conflict, but the partition of British I ndia itself is a significant factor. Pakista n regarded partition as "nrursary and inevitable .. but incompleu (without the incorporation of Kashmir), while India regarded partition as unneuJiary and tragic, but fundamentally romp/eu (implying that the accession of Kashmir to the Indian union was the completion)." 1 Dimensions of conflict between the two states involve territorial disputes, ideological differences, and d iffe ring perceptions of regional dynamics.
