Nuclear Policy: NPT, CTBT, NSG
International Relations · परमाणु नीति: NPT, CTBT, NSG
📋Quick Overview
India is one of nine nuclear-armed states in the world and occupies a unique position in international nuclear order — it has nuclear weapons but is not a signatory to the NPT, arguing the treaty discriminates between 'haves' and 'have-nots'. India conducted two landmark nuclear tests: Pokhran I (1974) and Pokhran II (1998), followed by announcing its nuclear doctrine of No First Use and Credible Minimum Deterrence. The US-India Civil Nuclear Deal (2008) gave India access to civilian nuclear technology despite being outside the NPT framework.
Pokhran II (Operation Shakti, May 11-13, 1998) under PM Vajpayee and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (DRDO + DAE Chief) — five nuclear tests conducted at Pokhran Test Range, Rajasthan. India declared itself a nuclear weapons state. Pakistan followed with its own tests (May 28, 1998).
📖Nuclear Treaties & India's Position
| Treaty/Regime | Year | India's Status | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) | 1970 (entered into force) | NOT signed | India says NPT discriminates between P5 nuclear states and others; India along with Pakistan, Israel, North Korea outside NPT |
| CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty) | 1996 | NOT ratified (signed in 1996 but not ratified) | India voted against it in UNGA; 'discriminatory' — didn't require existing weapon states to disarm |
| NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) | 1974 (after India's Pokhran I) | NOT a member (applied 2016) | 48 member countries; created after India's 1974 test; China blocked India's membership bid in 2016 |
| IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) | 1957 | Member; signed Safeguards Agreement | IAEA safeguards on 14 civilian nuclear reactors; military reactors exempt; HQ Vienna |
| US-India Civil Nuclear Deal (123 Agreement) | 2008 | Concluded despite being outside NPT | US recognised India as responsible nuclear state; India access to civilian nuclear tech; IAEA safeguards on civilian facilities |
📖India's Nuclear Tests & Doctrine
- •Pokhran I — 'Smiling Buddha': May 18, 1974; PM Indira Gandhi; India's first nuclear test; officially called 'Peaceful Nuclear Explosion'
- •Pokhran II — 'Operation Shakti': May 11, 1998 (3 tests) + May 13, 1998 (2 tests); PM Vajpayee; led by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (DRDO) + Dr. R. Chidambaram (DAE)
- •India's Nuclear Doctrine (1999, revised 2003): No First Use (NFU), Credible Minimum Deterrence, Massive Retaliation against nuclear attack
- •NFU = India will NOT be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict; but will massively retaliate if attacked with nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons
- •No use against non-nuclear states (negative security assurance)