Nuclear challenges in contemporary Asia

This paper, in outlining research conducted on the dynamics of arms control and nuclear non-proliferation in the Asia-Pacific as part of the ANU MacArthur Asia Security Initiative Project, examines the nuclear challenges faced in the contemporary Asia-Pacific. In particular, it looks at two key dyads that have are likely to have the most bearing on non-proliferation and arms control issues over the coming decades the relationship between China and India and between China and the United States. These relationships present major challenges for stability in the region. Indeed, it is often argued that increasing geopolitical ambitions of, and pressures on, India and China could lead to a less benign future Sino-Indian nuclear relationship. Likewise, the China-US nuclear relationship has been characterised as a mixture of competition and cooperation. Indeed, while it has been argued that there is less concern now with Chinas role as a nuclear proliferator, concerns remain over Chinas relationships with would-be proliferators.