Pakistan and India began a nuclear arms race in 1947 with India’s development of nuclear weapons. This was exacerbated in the early 1970’s with President Nixon’s threatening display of nuclear weapons against India. Today American Intelligence suggests that Pakistan will soon overtake Britain as the third largest nuclear weapons power.
In May of 1947, India detonated a nuclear device underground. Shortly thereafter, Pakistan proposed to India that South Asia be declared free of nuclear weapons. India, predictably, declined this offer. In 1968 both Pakistan and India refused to sign the U.N. Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons treaty. Since then, a number of laws have been passed in the U.S. barring aid to any nations involved in nuclear technology outside of international controls. In 1985 Pakistan was specifically named in the Pressler Amendment, which stipulates that the U.S. must verify that Pakistan does not posses nuclear weapons each year before aid can be given. The president was, however, given the power to veto sanctions if it is deemed in the best interest of the nation.
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