A Warning or a Treaty?

NPT refers to a treaty based on nuclear disarmament on a worldwide level which was led by five nuclear powers namely, Russia which was then known as the USSR, France, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. NPT is also known as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Aim & Objectives

It aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and its technology in order to promote world peace and cooperation. It also aimed at peaceful coexistence and achieving the goal of nuclear disarmament.

The NPT, with its three pillars of Non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, is the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime

Historical Background

The Treaty first entered into force in 1970 and was further extended in 1995. Today, the NPT has become nearly universal and influences almost the whole world, with 191 States Parties. Over the years, the NPT has helped prevent additional states from acquiring nuclear weapons, provided the confidence in order to facilitate cooperation for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and has fostered a secure environment that has enabled dramatic decreases or reductions in nuclear stockpiles and that is quite important for the future progress regarding nuclear disarmament.

Disjoining?

Many countries of the world have not supported this treaty and have shown displeasure by not joining them. India is one of the countries which is not a part of this Treaty. Why? NPT recognizes and initiates relations towards only those countries that possess nuclear weapons that were tested before 1970. Thus, if India signed NPT it would be considered non non-nuclear weapons state or would have to face sanctions as it conducted its first nuclear weapons test in May 1974 which was followed by another one in 1988.