Washington, DC: Pakistan continues to perceive India as an existential threat and is actively modernising its military capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal, to counterbalance India’s conventional military superiority, according to the latest World Threat Assessment released by the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) on Sunday.
The report underscores Islamabad’s unwavering focus on military modernisation, stating that “Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India’s conventional military advantage.”
The assessment further reveals that China is playing a key role in aiding Pakistan’s military ambitions by providing both economic and technological support, particularly in the development and enhancement of its nuclear arsenal. Pakistan is reportedly procuring weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related materials from foreign suppliers through intermediaries based in countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
The security of nuclear materials and command and control systems also remains a priority for Islamabad. “Pakistan is modernising its nuclear arsenal and maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear command and control,” the report noted.
Additionally, the report suggests that Pakistan’s top military concerns in the near term will likely include ongoing tensions with regional neighbours, particularly along the India-Pakistan border, and maintaining its strategic deterrent capabilities.
However, the traditionally close ties between Pakistan and China have faced recent strains due to a surge in terrorist attacks targeting Chinese nationals working on development projects within Pakistan. These attacks have become a growing source of friction in an otherwise strong bilateral military partnership.
The DIA’s assessment paints a picture of a region marked by deepening strategic mistrust, with Pakistan’s posture towards India continuing to shape its defence priorities and international alignments.
