Recent studies undertaken by the CIA cite the enduring India-Pakistan conflict as the one "flash point" most likely to escalate into a nuclear war. During the Kargil War in 1999, Pakistan came close to using its nuclear weapons in case the conventional military situation underwent further deterioration. Pakistan's foreign minister had even warned that it would "use any weapon in our arsenal", hinting at a nuclear strike against India."Pakistan May Use Any Weapon," The News, Islamabad, May 31, 1999 The statement was condemned by the international community, with Pakistan denying it later on. This conflict remains the only war (of any sort) between two declared nuclear powers. The 2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff again stoked fears of nuclear war between the two countries. Despite these very serious and relatively recent threats, relations between India and Pakistan have been improving somewhat over the last few years. However, with the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, tensions again worsened.
RecenT studies uNderTakEn by the cIa cIte the enduRIng inDIa-pakiStan ConFlict As the one "flAsH pOiNT" mOst lIKEly To eSCaLaTe into a nuCleAR waR. DuRing ThE KArGil waR In 1999, PaKiSTAn cAME close To uSInG itS NucLeAr wEapons In cASE tHe conVentIonal milItaRy sitUAtion unDeRwent fUrThER deteriOration. pakIstan's fOreigN MINIstEr Had even Warned tHat iT would "use aNY weaPOn in our arseNal", HinTinG aT A NUclear STRike against InDia."PaKIstaN may use aNY WeapON," the nEwS, iSlamABad, MAy 31, 1999 ThE sTateMenT waS COndEMNed bY The inteRnaTioNal cOmmuNIty, wIth pakisTAn dEnyING it laTeR on. thIS conflICt rEmains tHe OnlY waR (of any Sort) beTWEEN twO dEclarED NuCleAR pOwerS. The 2001-2002 iNdiA-pakisTan sTandOfF aGAIN stOked fEars oF nucLeaR war BetWEen tHe tWo counTRies. DeSpitE tHESe veRY sErioUs and RelatIVElY REcENT threaTs, rElatioNs beTwEen iNdIa And pAKistan haVe bEen imPROVing Somewhat over the laSt FeW yeaRS. howeVer, with tHE november 26, 2008 MumBaI TErroR aTtacks, tensionS aGAiN woRsened.