11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Source: Global Times
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Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
3. India and the NPT
4. India’s Nuclear Policy

Why in the News?

11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) at the UN Headquarters in New York collapsed without reaching a consensus on a final declaration.

News in Brief

• The 11th Review Conference of the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) concluded without adopting a final document.
• Efforts to advance nuclear disarmament under the treaty were met with fierce resistance by the nuclear armed states and those who support the use of nuclear weapons in their security strategies.
• The vast majority of states, however, engaged vigorously throughout the month, calling for urgent action to reduce nuclear risks.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

• NPT was negotiated during the 1960s to reconcile three competing objectives
  • Controlling the further spread of nuclear weapons beyond the P-5 countries (the U.S., the U.S.S.R., the U.K, France and China) that had already tested.
  • Committing to negotiating reductions of nuclear arsenals leading to their elimination.
  • Sharing the benefits of peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology.

India and the NPT

Why India Opposes the NPT

India has consistently argued that the treaty is discriminatory because it creates a permanent division between nuclear “haves” and “have-nots”.

Key Reasons for India’s Non-Signature

1. Discriminatory Nature

The treaty allows only five countries to legally possess nuclear weapons while denying the same right to others.

India argues that:

• The treaty lacks equality.
• It legitimizes the nuclear arsenals of major powers.

2. Lack of Time-Bound Disarmament

India supports universal nuclear disarmament but believes the NPT does not provide a clear roadmap for complete elimination of nuclear weapons.

3. Security Concerns

India faces nuclear security challenges from:

• China
• Pakistan

China tested nuclear weapons in 1964, which significantly influenced India’s strategic thinking.

4. Strategic Autonomy

India prefers maintaining independent decision-making in national security and strategic affairs.

India’s Nuclear Policy

India conducted:

• Peaceful Nuclear Explosion in 1974 (“Smiling Buddha”)
• Nuclear tests in 1998 at Pokhran

After the 1998 tests, India declared itself a nuclear weapon state outside the NPT framework.

Key Features of India’s Nuclear Doctrine

• Credible Minimum Deterrence
• No First Use (NFU) policy
• Non-use against non-nuclear weapon states

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