NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT)

INTRODUCTION
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the most important global treaty dealing with nuclear weapons. It forms the foundation of the international nuclear order and is frequently asked in prelims due to its clear provisions, fixed classification of states, and India’s non-signatory status. For beginners, NPT helps in understanding why nuclear weapons are restricted globally and how international nuclear governance works.

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BACKGROUND AND ORIGIN

• Opened for signature in 1968
• Came into force in 1970
• Indefinitely extended in 1995
• Negotiated under the aegis of the United Nations
• Currently has more than 190 member states

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CORE OBJECTIVES OF NPT

The treaty rests on three pillars:

1. Non-Proliferation
• Prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon technology
• Non-Nuclear Weapon States must not acquire nuclear weapons

2. Disarmament
• Nuclear Weapon States commit to pursue nuclear disarmament
• Reduction of nuclear arsenals over time

3. Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy
• All states have the right to peaceful nuclear energy
• Subject to safeguards by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

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CLASSIFICATION OF STATES UNDER NPT

1. Nuclear Weapon States (NWS)
Countries that tested nuclear weapons before 1 January 1967:
• United States
• Russia
• United Kingdom
• France
• China

2. Non-Nuclear Weapon States (NNWS)
• All other signatory states
• Cannot develop or acquire nuclear weapons

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KEY FEATURES OF NPT

• Discriminatory in nature
• Legalises possession of nuclear weapons for five countries only
• IAEA safeguards mandatory for NNWS
• Does not completely ban nuclear weapons
• Allows peaceful nuclear cooperation

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ROLE OF IAEA

• Monitors compliance with NPT provisions
• Ensures nuclear materials are not diverted for military use
• Conducts inspections in NNWS

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INDIA AND NPT

• India is not a signatory to NPT
• India considers NPT discriminatory and unequal
• India conducted nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998
• India supports non-proliferation but outside NPT framework

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PRELIMS NOTES AND COMMON CONFUSIONS

• NPT does not ban nuclear weapons
• NPT differentiates between NWS and NNWS
• India, Pakistan and Israel are outside NPT
• North Korea withdrew from NPT in 2003

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CURRENT RELEVANCE

• Ongoing debates on nuclear disarmament
• Concerns over nuclear proliferation
• Relevance in geopolitical tensions involving nuclear powers

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Subject: International Relation

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