NPT or Non proliferation treaty is also called the Nuclear non-proliferation treaty. what is proliferation? proliferation means rapid increase or multiplication. That means to stop the increase of nuclear weapons or nuclear materials.
NPT is an international treaty with an aim to prevent the spread of nuclear weapon and nuclear technology, to promote cooperation and peaceful use of the nuclear energy, and the main goal is to achieve nuclear disarmament. Also known as the three pillars of NPT.
According to the rules given by NPT, the non nuclear states agree to never acquire nuclear weapons and NPT nuclear weapon states in exchange shall share the benefit of peaceful nuclear technology and to promote disarmament aimed at ultimate elimination of their nuclear arsenals. This treaty came into existence on 5th march 1970. The treaty recognizes five states as nuclear weapon states, these states are USA, UK, Russia, France, China( Big 5 ).
North Korea was one such state which accepted the treaty in 1985 but withdrew in 2003. And worlds latest country South Sudan never joined the NPT. A total of 191 States have joined the Treaty And countries like Indian, Pakistan and Israel have never accepted or signed the treaty. India didn't sign the treaty, why so ? lets know it all
1)NPT recognizes only those countries as possessing nuclear weapon who have tested their nuclear weapon before 1970. And if know then we Indians tested our very first nuclear weapon the the year 1974 and then in 1988 and this makes us a non-nuclear state. We can never get this recognition, and hence NPT is discriminatory.
2) Our neighbours would be the most happiest ones if we ever sign this treaty. Presence of China and Pakistan makes it mandatory for India to keep a minimum nuclear deterrent.
3) India's nuclear policy is โno first useโ. If someone uses it against us their would be massive retaliation but we would never be the one to use it first. Despite the fact of this policy NPT never accepted India as a nuclear state.
Criticism of NPT:
1)The main aim of NPT was to avoid or stop the multiplication of nuclear weapons, but in spite the treaty being in place for over 47 years there are around 7000 nuclear weapons in the world. Disarmament is still not achieved.
2)Countries like India have dismissed it as flawed and discriminatory.
3)No set timeline for nuclear states to get rid of nuclear weapons.
4)No active deterrent for the countries to stay in the treaty ( North Korea withdrawal )
5)Divided the world into have's and have not's
I hope I may have cleared some of your doubts regarding the topic.
Thankyou.
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