Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

 

·       The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as the Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT, is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament. 

·       Opened for signature in 1968, the treaty entered into force in 1970. As required by the text, after twenty-five years, NPT Parties met in May 1995 and agreed to extend the treaty indefinitely. 

·       The treaty defines nuclear-weapon states as those that have built and tested a nuclear explosive device before 1 January 1967. The United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China are officially designated as nuclear weapon state. 

Members of NPT

·       191 states have become parties to the treaty, though North Korea, which acceded in 1985 but never came into compliance, announced its withdrawal from the NPT in 2003. 

·       Four UN member states have never accepted the NPT, three of which possess or are thought to possess nuclear weapons: India, Israel, and Pakistan. In addition, South Sudan, founded in 2011, has not joined.

India’s Stand on this treaty

·       India always considered this treaty as discriminatory and unfair, hence refused to sign it. NPT allows only five nuclear weapon states n manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon.

·       India’s traditional position has always been that either the five nations denuclearize or everyone has the same rights as those who possess them.

Nuclear doctrine ·       A nuclear doctrine states how a nuclear weapon state would employ its nuclear weapons both during peace and war. Through the nuclear doctrine a state can communicate its intention and resolve to the enemy. India’s Nuclear Doctrine ·       Building and maintaining a credible minimum deterrent ·       Posture of ‘No First Use’, nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian Territory or on Indian forces anywhere ·       Nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage ·       Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states ·       In the event of a major attack against India, or Indian forces anywhere, by biological or chemical weapons, India will retain the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons   Ø  India did not see nuclear weapons as weapons of war; that their role was to ensure that India is not subjected to nuclear threats or coercion