Cyber-deterrence and Cyber-CBMs: Way Forward for Managing India-Pakistan Cyber Rivalry

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine provides us with evidence of the importance of cyberweapons in modern warfare. Cyberweapons are thickening the fog of war, creating new avenues for inter-state competition. As India and Pakistan have been engaged in a rivalry for the past 75 years, cyberweapons can play an important role in the future of this enmity. This research signifies the ramifications of cyberweapons on strategic stability between two nuclear-armed states. Cyberweapons are exacerbating risks to nuclear weapons that can lead to both advertent and inadvertent nuclear escalation. The question addressed in this paper is Why do Pakistan and India need to manage their rivalry in the domain of cyberwarfare? The methodology used for this research is qualitative with both primary and secondary data sources. This research has utilized a case study research design by taking India-Pakistan relations as the case. There are two potential pathways for India and Pakistan to manage their rivalry in the cyber domain. These are cyber-deterrence and cyber-CBMs. However, shortcomings are attached to both pathways, and only by taking them together can they complement each other and work as risk-reduction measures. Both these pathways are explained, and a way forward is provided that can be undertaken by India and Pakistan to reduce the risks posed in the cyber domain.