Arzan Tarapore analyzes key factors in the India–Pakistan military dynamic to explore how internal and external factors account to balance the military dynamic between the volatile conflict and prevent any major escalations in disputes. Tarapore argues that geography, economic fragility, strategic implications, and a variety of other qualitative factors serve to deter the two nations from any major conflict escalation.

This chapter is part of the volume Routledge Handbook on South Asian Foreign Policy, edited by Aparna Pande.