The India-Pakistan conflict and nuclear risks

What follows is a statement on the situation from ICAN, of which Beyond Nuclear in a member:

“ICAN is gravely concerned at the escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan, particularly since last night’s missile strikes by India on Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Pakistan, and Pakistan’s previous threats to use nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons are not a deterrent. Far from preserving stability, they introduce the risk of catastrophic escalation to any conflict.

A nuclear war between India and Pakistan would cause millions of immediate deaths in the region and have severe global consequences. As the 2022 Nature Food study by Xia, Robock et al shows, even a “limited” nuclear war between the two countries could trigger a nuclear winter, drastically disrupting global agriculture leading to famine that could kill more than two billion people. No country would be spared. No government could protect its people from the consequences.

This is exactly why nuclear weapons must be eliminated. ICAN calls on both governments to show utmost restraint and de-escalate, and calls on the international community to redouble efforts toward disarmament through the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Both nations should immediately commit not to use nuclear weapons in this conflict. However, the only enduring way to guarantee these weapons are never used is to eliminate them.”