Nuclear weapons and ballistic missile tests conducted by India and Pakistan in the late 1990s have altered the global and regional security environment. The contributors to this study examine the complexities, controversies and dynamics of this reshaped strategic context.

Why did India go nuclear?, S.P. Cohen; India's pathway to Pokharan II - the prospects and sources of New Delhi's nuclear weapons programme, S. Ganguly; India's strategic doctrine and practice - the impact of nuclear testing, D. Ollapally; India's nuclear and missile programmes - power, intentions, capabilities, outcomes, R.G.C. Thomas; India's nuclear decision - implications for Indian-US relations, M. Ayoob; what after pokharan II? - the China factor, G Deshingkar; the nuclear aspect of Pakistan's India policy, F. Zarah; South Asia's ballistic ambitions, B. Sheppard; technology for defence and development - India's space programme, D. Mistry; the Indian economy after Pokharan II, P.S. Jha; lest we forget - the dangers and irrelevance of nuclear weapons, S.R. Valluri; is an otherwise sensible agreement with India and Pakistan precluded because it would ""reward"" nuclear testing?, C.E. Singer; a nuclear arms control agenda for India, A. Gupta.