This compendium of eleven papers explores what theory can contribute to the understanding of nuclear deterrence in South Asia, and what the South Asian situation can contribute to theory.

The book is largely about the explanatory power of deterrence theory and IR theory, particularly the dominant neorealist paradigm, in explaining Indian and Pakistani nuclear behaviour, with a focus on the period after both obtained de facto nuclear weapons capabilities, that is, 1986-87, and especially after the explicit nuclearization of both in 1998.