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<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>The Indian government on Monday rejected <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-donald-trump-bio-age-family-key-positions-2019-4">President Donald Trump's</a> claim that Prime Minister Narenda Modi had asked the president if he would like to help mediate a historic dispute with Pakistan.&#xa0;</li><li>During a meeting with Pakistan's prime minister in Washington, Trump said that Modi had asked him if he'd help resolve the Kashmir conflict.&#xa0;</li><li>Shortly thereafter, a spokesperson for the Indian government said, "no such request has been made" by Modi.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>India's government on Monday rejected a claim from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-donald-trump-bio-age-family-key-positions-2019-4">President Donald Trump</a> almost as soon as he made it.&#xa0;While meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in the White House, Trump claimed Modi recently asked him if he would step in and work as mediator in resolving the Kashmir conflict.&#xa0;"I was with Prime Minister Modi two weeks ago," Trump said. "He actually said, 'Would you like to be a mediator or abitrator?' I said, "Where?' He said, 'Kashmir.' Because this has been going on for many, many years."&#xa0;Not long after, Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted that <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1153371327371173895">"no such request has been made"</a> by Modi to Trump."We have seen @POTUS's remarks to the press that he is ready to mediate, if requested by India &amp; Pakistan, on Kashmir issue. No such request has been made by PM @narendramodi to US President," Kumar said.&#xa0;Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-pakistan-kashmir-nuclear-weapons-climate-cooling-2019-2">If India and Pakistan have a 'limited' nuclear war, scientists say it could wreck Earth's climate and trigger global famine</a>Kumar went on to say, "It has been India's consistent position&#xa0;that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally. Any engagement with Pakistan would require an end to cross border terrorism. The Shimla Agreement &amp; the Lahore Declaration provide the basis to resolve all issues between India &amp; Pakistan bilaterally."The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from INSIDER.Kashmir, which is home to 18 million people, is one of the most disputed territories in the world and has been fought over by India and Pakistan since 1947. The region has been partioned, with India controlling roughly 45% of it and Pakistan controls 35%. China also seized portions of the territory via a war with India in 1962, and controls roughly 20% of the region.&#xa0;The ongoing dispute over Kashmir continues to lead to violent and deadly clashes, which earlier this year raised concerns that India and Pakistan - two nuclear powers - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-pakistan-kashmir-nuclear-weapons-climate-cooling-2019-2">were headed toward war.</a><div></div>

Trump said India asked him to help mediate the Kashmir conflict with Pakistan. India quickly said that's not true.

<ul><li>Chinese President Xi Jinping is in India for the second informal meeting with PM Modi. </li><li>The first informal meeting held at Wuhan in China did result in slight normalisation of relations--- which soured after the 2017 Doklam standoff. </li><li>This meeting is expected to thaw the frosty relations between the two neighbours over several issues, including Kashmir, UNSC permanent membership and Chinese company Huawei. </li></ul> Chinese Premier Xi Jinping landed in Chennai <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-arrives-in-chennai-to-attend-2nd-indo-china-informal-summit/articleshow/71535568.cms">a little after 2 pm today </a>to participate in the second informal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu. The <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/xi-jinping-india-china-informal-summit-border-terror-on-agenda-at-pm-modi-xi-meet-today-2115002">first informal meeting held at Wuhan in China did result in slight normalisation </a>of relations — which soured after the 2017 Doklam standoff. This meeting is expected to thaw the frosty relations between the two neighbours over several issues, including Kashmir. China’s stance on Kashmir The Indian foreign ministry <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3032384/steer-clear-india-pakistan-dispute-over-kashmir-new-delhi">refused to discuss the Kashmir issue</a> on October 10. This was a day after <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/world/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-arrives-in-china-to-meet-president-xi-jinping-2337721.html">Xi met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> in Beijing on Wednesday. After that, <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kashmir-in-focus-as-imran-khan-xi-jinping-meet-beijing-cites-un-charter-2114351">a joint statement was released </a>by China and <keyword id="3001" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan">Pakistan</keyword><a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-imran-khan-china-ties-trade-cpec-jcc-kashmir-hong-kong-1608115-2019-10-10"> stating</a> that Jammu and Kashmir should be "properly and peacefully <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/xi-jinping-india-china-informal-summit-border-terror-on-agenda-at-pm-modi-xi-meet-today-2115002">resolved</a> based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements." In response, India asked them to off the issue <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indias-counter-to-xi-jinpings-kashmir-remark-its-an-internal-matter-2114288">saying</a>, "India's position has been consistent and clear that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. China is well aware of our position. It is not for other countries to comment on the internal affairs of India." China also criticised India’s <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/xi-jinping-india-china-informal-summit-border-terror-on-agenda-at-pm-modi-xi-meet-today-2115002">decision to scrap</a> special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate it into two union territories, at the UN General Assembly last month in New York. India’s decision on allowing Chinese company Huawei in its 5G rollout India <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/5g-spectrum-auction-by-year-end-or-early-2020-ravi-shankar-prasad/articleshow/71117477.cms">plans to auction 5G airwaves</a> this year but it remains undecided on<a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hopeful-india-will-make-independent-decision-on-5g-huawei-2114887"> whether or not to allow Chinese company Huawei </a>to compete. As China and the US are in the throes of a trade war, the latter has been arm twisting countries into<a href="https://www.vox.com/technology/2018/12/11/18134440/huawei-executive-order-entity-list-china-trump"> banning Huawei</a> from 5G roll-outs because of allegations of spying. And, there is a huge divide — <a href="https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/huawei-says-banning-company-will-delay-india-s-5g-rollout-by-2-3-years-1567500859756.html">Australia and Japan have barred</a> Huawei while Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia refused to. Both these countries seek an ally in India, as it holds a big bargaining chip. It is the <a href="https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/huawei-says-banning-company-will-delay-india-s-5g-rollout-by-2-3-years-1567500859756.html">world’s second largest mobile services market. </a> For both US and China, India’s decision on the matter is key, and it has not spilled the beans on this topic. China’s stance on India’s inclusion in the UN Security Council Even after warm affirmations from the UK, France and Russia over India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council,<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indias-campaign-for-permanent-seat-at-unsc-slowing-down/article29161642.ece"> China’s stance remains lukewarm. </a>India<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/unsc-non-permanent-seat-indias-candidature-endorsed-by-55-countries-including-pakistan/article28142769.ece"> has been elected as a non-permanent member in the UNSC</a> a record seven times, and has been seeking a permanent seat, along with Germany, Japan and Brazil. It also does not help that China <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/after-chinas-masood-azhar-block-unsc-vote-under-consideration/articleshow/68418293.cms?from=mdr">blocked</a> the proposal to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist for almost 10 years back, before finally lifting the hold earlier this year. Azhar was <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/masood-azhar-hafiz-saeed-dawood-declared-terrorists-under-new-uapa-law-1595463-2019-09-04">involved in planning several terrorist attacks</a> against India, including the 2019 Pulwama attacks. China presiding over FATF and protecting Pakistan China was one of the countries which was<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/china-turkey-malaysia-bail-out-pakistan-at-fatf-meet/articleshow/69899220.cms?from=mdr"> protecting Pakistan</a> from being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Malaysia and Turkey were the other countries which had come to its aid. China <a href="https://www.fatf-gafi.org/about/fatfpresidency/">presides over the international anti-money laundering body</a> which assesses a country’s efforts to combat terrorist funding. Pakistan <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/masood-azhar-hafiz-saeed-dawood-declared-terrorists-under-new-uapa-law-1595463-2019-09-04">was finally placed on the FATF</a> blacklist in August this year. China seeing the Quad as a threat The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (or simply, the Quad), comprising India, Japan, the US and Australia is a strategic partnership to counter the spread of China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Beijing was <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/india/five-reasons-why-china-is-worried-about-the-quad-coalition-1575397.html">expectedly unhappy and has been protesting </a>within diplomatic circles, especially after they carried out joint military exercises. China also <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2167457/japan-and-vietnam-join-hands-over-disputed-south-china-sea">has a long-standing feud with Japan</a> over islands in the South China Sea, besides the border issue in India’s northeast. Despite Australia’s reservations on upsetting China, their growing proximity with New Delhi signals that China should <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/vzKYXmhiLn1HVL6nDf4r4K/India-and-the-Quad-countries.html">beware of this small but steadily brewing partnership.</a> If even one of these many long pending issues are sorted,<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/list-of-monuments-chinese-president-xi-jingping-is-going-to-visit-in-india/articleshow/71521441.cms"> the meeting between the two leaders could be as historic as the city they are meeting at.</a> See also: 
 <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="71498284" title="Indian medical students will now have to learn Mandarin to study in China" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Xi Jinping arrives in India — here's a look at 5 contentious issues between India and China

The results of Pakistan’s national elections are yet to be finalised, but it looks like <keyword id="14676" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Imran-Khan">Imran Khan</keyword>’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is set to win the most seats in the National Assembly, paving the way for the former captain of the Pakistani cricket team to become the country’s next prime minister. Given the backing Khan has from the army, some have already declared that his electoral victory was assured. This election is a significant one. Not just for Pakistan, which is witnessing only the second consecutive transition of power between civilian governments in its 71-year history, but also for <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>. The new prime minister will set the tone for the country’s relationship with India for the next five years. The former Prime Minister <keyword id="6576" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nawaz-Sharif">Nawaz Sharif</keyword>, currently in jail on corruption charges, was a strong proponent of better ties with India, something the Pakistani military was reportedly against. While it might be too early to predict how the India-Pakistan relationship will progress over the next five years, and if at all, here is what one can expect from Imran Khan if he becomes prime minister. A potential improvement in trade ties In the buildup to elections, Imran Khan has been vocal about the sorry state of Pakistan’s finances. At PKR10.6 trillion, the country’s debt is around <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-30/imf-bailout-looms-for-pakistan-as-debt-surge-raises-alarm">31% of its GDP</a>, and is increasing even more due to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). As part of his “New Pakistan” platform, he has pledged to fix the economy and provide better infrastructure and jobs. As a possible solution to the problem, Khan has advocated for <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-imran-khan-pakistan-is-bankrupt-better-india-ties-will-boost-trade-2640517">a stronger trade partnership</a> with India, which could mean that the country gets designated with the Non-Discriminatory Market Access (NDMA) once he’s elected. The PTI’s manifesto has called for strategic talks with India on a host of issues including trade. This does, however, marks a complete about-turn from the party’s stance in November 2016, when it called for <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/world/imran-khans-tehreek-e-insaf-calls-for-pakistan-to-sever-trade-ties-with-india-3127470.html">an end to trade ties</a> with India after a skirmish at the Kashmir border which resulted in the deaths of 13 people. A less-conciliatory approach on the Kashmir issue While Khan recognises that the Kashmir issue is a huge impediment to a mutually beneficial Indo-Pak relationship, he hasn’t offered anything substantial in the way of a solution and has made no mention of the government’s funding of proxy terrorist outfits. He has toed the line on the Kashmir issue, choosing to echo the oft-quoted “need for peace” and conflict resolution based on proposals from the UN Security Council. The Pakistani army’s disapproval of Nawaz Sharif’s conciliatory approach to the Kashmir issue can give us a clue to what Khan’s policy will be. He could very likely end up taking a hardliner approach after caving in to pressure from the military establishment. Conversely, he could end up taking a more cooperative approach in the interest of stronger trade ties. However, the Pakistani army’s interests lie in continued tensions along the Kashmir border, which justifies high defense spending. The maintenance of the status quo Even though Imran Khan founded the PTI with the goal of transforming Pakistan, his drubbing in the 2013 elections caused him to adopt a pro-military and pro-Islamist stance - a political maneuver that has paid off this year. While he lacks a strong political philosophy, the army’s tacit endorsement and public’s disillusionment with PTI’s rival parties has helped him win political favour. But he lacks experience, and the strings of his government will likely end up being pulled by the army. In short, there doesn’t seem to be any real change on the cards for the India-Pakistan relationship. As the country’s prime minister, Khan’s foreign policy will be in the vein of his predecessors. He will make overtures to neighbours like India and try and make progress on issues like trade and connectivity, but only with the approval of the “deep state”. In Pakistan, prime ministers may come and go and political parties may rise and fall, but the army remains. As a result, so does the Indo-Pak relationship.

Here’s what Imran Khan becoming prime minister could mean for India

<ul><li>The successful landing on <keyword id="414120" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chandrayaan-2">Chandrayaan 2</keyword> on the Moon will make India the first country to explore the lunar south pole. </li><li>The entire mission is being done using technology that was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). </li><li>The mission is cost a record breaking ₹10 billion. </li></ul>ISRO is sure it will succeed in its Chandrayaan-2 mission with the soft-landing of Vikram, the lander scheduled between 01:30 am and 02:30 am on Saturday, September 7, 2019 on the moon’s surface. This thumping victory will boost India’s image in the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/chandrayaan-2-puts-india-on-moon-south-pole-ahead-of-america-russia-china/articleshow/70212854.cms">international scene</a> and there are several reasons why India is keen to succeed in its second mission to the moon. The importance of Chandrayaan-2 mission Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second mission to the moon. India succeeding in its lunar mission this time will mean it will become the fourth country following Russia, the US and China to successfully accomplish a soft landing on the moon. At the same time, the success of Chandrayaan-2 will position India in the first place to reach the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/chinas-lunar-rover-does-what-indias-chandrayaan-2-is-hoping-to-do-on-the-moons-south-pole/articleshow/70942638.cms">south pole of the moon</a>, which is still waiting to be explored. Highly challenging venture What is called as Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) maneuver was carried out successfully by the ISRO during Chandrayaan-1 mission. However, the proposed soft-landing on the moon during the Chandrayaan-2 mission is a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/isro-chandrayaan-2-india-moon-mission-launches-successfully-at-243-pm/articleshow/70328430.cms">highly challenging one</a>. Attempting to soft-land the lander and rover on a high plain lying in between the two craters Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at a latitude of about 70 south, the soft-landing being attempted now will be a terrifying moment as this is something new to ISRO. India’s prowess in space technology The entire mission of Chandrayaan-2 is attempted on a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/chandrayaan-2-india-moon-mission-14-high-tech-instruments-to-look-for-water/articleshow/69867398.cms">homegrown technology</a>. This notable mission is closely connected with India’s lofty aspirations to prove its capabilities in space technology. Commenting on the importance of Chandrayaan-2 mission, Pallava Bagla, science editor of NDTV, a famed T channel of India remarked, “There is a huge symbolic value attached to this mission. This is all about national pride.” The topic of space and India In India, the topic of space has become something of a craze. In a number of Indian cities, there are huge posters found on gigantic billboards heralding the Chandrayaan-2 mission. In some space classes, children are making innovative rockets to celebrate the said mission. In fact, Chandrayaan-2 has become a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/pm-modi-might-retweet-you-tonight-heres-how-you-can-feature-on-his-twitter-timeline/articleshow/71007637.cms">hotly pursued topic</a> among the Indian youth now. Indian government and Chandrayaan-2 At a time when the Indian government is facing a crucial time characterized by <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/unemployment-in-india-highest-among-urban-youth-says-government-data/articleshow/69631185.cms">dismal job numbers</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/narendra-modi-pmeac-comments-on-indias-economic-slowdown/articleshow/70954078.cms">declining economic growth</a> and the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/jammu-and-kashmir-and-ladakh-will-now-be-two-separate-union-territories/articleshow/70531866.cms">Kashmir conflict</a>, the Chandrayaan-2 mission provides a welcome distraction. When the Chandrayaan-2 was launched in July, Mr. Narendra Modi published a video in which he is clapping and keenly watching the live launch with the Indian flag behind him. Arati Jerath, a Delhi based political analyst says, “Modi is very keen on positioning India as a global power. Moon missions are part of creating that image.” What is so unique about this mission Chandrayaan-2 is a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/chandrayaan-2-cheaper-than-avengers-endgame-what-the-foreign-press-says/articleshow/70208309.cms">relatively inexpensive mission</a> when compared to the other space missions. The cost of the mission is less than $150 million, which is cheaper than what was spent to make the Hollywood film ‘Interstellar’ in 2014. Also, the Moon’s South Pole is a highly interesting topic as it can reveal the possibility of the presence of <a href="https://businessinsider.in/chandrayaan-2-why-indias-isro-is-going-to-the-moon/articleshow/69893150.cms">ice and water in moon</a>. It could <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/chandrayaan-2-why-indias-isro-is-going-to-the-moon/articleshow/69893150.cms">enhance our knowledge</a> of inhabiting the moon and also making fuel for the missions that would explore Mars. Scientists are also keenly looking for deposits of helium-3 on the moon which is one of the prospective energy sources for the earth in the future. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/chinas-lunar-rover-does-what-indias-chandrayaan-2-is-hoping-to-do-on-the-moons-south-pole/articleshow/70942638.cms">China’s lunar rover does what India’s Chandrayaan 2 is hoping to do on the Moon’s South Pole</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/chandrayaan-2-is-not-just-looking-for-water-on-the-moon/articleshow/70974829.cms">Chandrayaan 2 is not just looking for water on the moon</a> <a href="https://businessinsider.in/chandrayaan-2-why-indias-isro-is-going-to-the-moon/articleshow/69893150.cms">Chandrayaan 2 will give India bragging rights even if it doesn’t find water</a>

India has a lot to prove to the world with Chandrayaan 2's success

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Pakistan's prime minister recently <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pakistan-india-threat-war-kashmir-2019-9">threatened to go to war</a> with India over the disputed Kashmir region. Both nations are armed with nuclear weapons.</li><li>A new paper simulates what would happen if India and Pakistan entered into a nuclear war. </li><li>The results suggest that scenario could lead 125 million people to die. Earth's global temperature could drop by 5 degrees Celsius, which would cause major agricultural challenges.</li><li>The researchers estimate that the disaster could trigger a global famine.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Businessinsider.com for more stories</a>.</li></ul>Pakistan and India have fought three wars over Kashmir, a disputed territory to which both nations lay claim. Pakistan's prime minister, Imran Khan, recently suggested the countries could be headed toward another."There is a potential that two nuclear-armed countries will come face to face at some stage," Khan <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pakistan-india-threat-war-kashmir-2019-9">said at the United Nations annual summit</a> in September, referring to the Kashmir conflict.Together, India and Pakistan possess 2% of the world's nuclear arsenal: India is estimated to have <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/global/2019/06/16/heres-how-many-nuclear-warheads-exist-and-which-countries-own-them/">around 140 nuclear warheads</a>, while Pakistan is estimated to have around 160. But they're <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir-pakistan-nuclear-factbo/factbox-india-and-pakistan-nuclear-arsenals-and-strategies-idUSKCN1QI4O5">in an arms race</a> to acquire more weapons.By 2025, India and Pakistan could have expanded their arsenals to 250 warheads each, according to <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/10/eaay5478">a new paper</a> that predicts what might happen if the two nations entered into a nuclear war. In that extreme scenario, the researchers write, a cloud of black soot could envelop the sky, causing temperatures to fall dramatically. Key agricultural hotspots would lose the ability to grow crops, triggering a global famine. "It would be instant climate change," Alan Robock, an author of the study, told Business Insider. "Nothing like this in history, since civilization was developed, has happened."His paper estimates that up to 125 million people could die. <h2>Nuclear weapons are becoming more powerful</h2>Robock said the situation outlined in the paper isn't likely, but it's possible. So to determine the hypothetical consequences of a nuclear war between Pakistan and India, the researchers sought the advice of military experts."We clearly don't want to burn cities and see what would happen," Robock said. "Most scientists have test tubes or accelerators. Nature is our laboratory, so we use models."Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nuclear-disaster-dos-and-donts-2019-9">If a nuclear bomb is dropped on your city, here's what you should (and shouldn't) do to stay alive</a>The paper doesn't speculate as to which nation is more likely to initiate a conflict. But it estimates that if India wanted to destroy Pakistan's major cities, the nation would need to deploy around 150 nuclear weapons. The calculations assume that some of these weapons might miss their target or fail to explode, so the model is based on the explosion of 100 weapons in Pakistan.If Pakistan attacked India's major cities, the researchers estimated, about 150 nuclear weapons would likely go off.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div>If all of those bombs were 15-kiloton weapons - the size of the "Little Boy" atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan - the researchers predict that 50 million people would die.But Robock said the US' nuclear weapons today are around 100 to 500 kilotons, so it's likely that India and Pakistan will have acquired more powerful weapons by 2025, the year in which his simulation takes place. If the nations were to use 100-kiloton weapons, the study suggests, that conflict could kill about 125 million people. <h2>A nuclear war between India and Pakistan could wreck Earth's climate</h2>Nuclear explosions produce sweltering heat. Structures catch on fire, and then winds either spread those flames or the fire draws in the surrounding air, creating an even larger blaze known as a firestorm.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div>Either way, enormous amounts of smoke would enter the air, the researchers write. A small portion of this smoke would contain "black carbon," the sooty material that usually comes from the exhaust of a diesel engine. That substance would then get pumped through the troposphere (the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere) and into the stratosphere. Within weeks, black carbon particles could spread across the globe.It would be "the biggest injection of smoke into the stratosphere that we've ever seen," Robock said.Smoke particles can <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-pakistan-kashmir-nuclear-weapons-climate-cooling-2019-2">linger in the stratosphere</a> for about five years and block out sunlight. In Robock's simulation, that could cause Earth's average temperature to drop by up to 5 degrees Celsius. Temperatures could get "as cold as the Ice Age," he said. With less energy from the sun, the world could also experience up to 30% less rain. The researchers estimate that it would take more than a decade for temperatures and precipitation to return to normal. In the meantime, farmers around the world - especially in India, China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, tropical South America, and Africa - would struggle to grow food.Entire marine ecosystems could also be devastated, which would destroy local fishing economies.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div>In sum, the authors write, a nuclear war could trigger mass starvation across the globe."As horrible as the direct effects of nuclear weapons would be, the indirect effects on our food supply would be much worse," Robock said. This isn't the first time Robock has modeled this type of scenario: In 2014, he <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2013EF000205">contributed to a paper</a> that predicted what would happen if <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-pakistan-kashmir-nuclear-weapons-climate-cooling-2019-2">India and Pakistan deployed 50 weapons apiece</a>, each with the strength of a "Little Boy" atomic bomb.Even that "limited" nuclear-war scenario, he found, would cripple the ozone layer, expose people to harmful amounts of ultraviolet radiation, and lower Earth's surface temperatures for more than 25 years. But those explosions wouldn't release nearly as much black carbon as the scenario in the newer model, so the cooling effect wouldn't be as severe. <h2>'We've been really lucky'</h2>Robock said this type of global climate catastrophe has happened before, but has never been created by humans. He compared the nuclear conflict modeled in the recent paper to the asteroid crash that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/timeline-consequences-of-dinosaur-killing-asteroid-2019-9">triggered the extinction of dinosaurs</a> 66 million years ago. That explosion released billions of tons of sulfur into the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to plummet.Robock emphasized that unlike that disaster, nuclear war is preventable. "There are all kinds of ways that something like this could happen, but if nuclear weapons didn't exist, then it wouldn't produce a nuclear war," he said.A key takeaway of the paper, he said, is that when nations threaten to nuke one another, they threaten their own safety, too. A nuclear war between two countries would "affect everybody in the world, not just where the bombs were dropped," he added. "We've been really lucky for the last 74 years" since Hiroshima, Robock said. "Our luck might run out sometime."

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