Context:
Russia withdrew from ratification of CTBT to bring itself in line with the US.
- US has not ratified the CTBT by citing difficulty in verifying whether or not participant States meet rules of Treaty.
About CTBT:
- CTBT bans all nuclear explosions, whether for military or peaceful purposes.
- It seeks to establish CTBT Organization (CTBTO) to verify the ban worldwide.
- Verification regime includes –
- International Monitoring System
- International Data Centre
- On-Site Inspections
- Status –
- Opened for signature in 1996
- Signed by 187 nations and ratified by 178.
- It is yet to formally enter into force as it requires ratification by 44 specific nations 8 of which yet to do so.
- 8 Nations – US, India China, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, Iran, Egypt.
- India’s Stand –
- India has neither signed nor ratified CTBT because it considers the treaty discriminatory.
- India calls for universal and complete nuclear disarmament in a time-bound manner.
Compared to more than 2000 nuclear tests between 1945 and 1996, less than a dozen nuclear tests have been conducted following its adoption.
Other nuclear weapons control treaties:
| Treaty Name | Year | Aim/Purpose | India’s Signature |
| Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) | 2017 | Comprehensive prohibition of nuclear weapon activities. | Not Signed |
| Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) | 1968 | Preventing wider dissemination of nuclear weapons and averting nuclear war. | Not Signed |
| Partial Test Ban Treaty | 1963 | Ban on nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. | Signed and Ratified |
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
What is/are the consequence/consequences of a country becoming a member of the ‘Nuclear Suppliers Group’?
1. It will have access to the latest and most efficient nuclear technologies.
2. It automatically becomes a member of “The Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)”.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
