Nuclear Policy: NPT, CTBT, NSG — Set 12
International Relations · परमाणु नीति: NPT, CTBT, NSG · Questions 111–120 of 158
Which country has the world's largest nuclear arsenal?
Correct Answer: B. Russia
Russia possesses the world's largest nuclear arsenal, with approximately 5,889 warheads according to SIPRI 2023 estimates (including both strategic and non-strategic). The USA has the second-largest arsenal with approximately 5,244 warheads. China, France, and UK have significantly smaller arsenals.
The New START treaty (2010) was signed between:
Correct Answer: B. USA and Russia
The New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) was signed between the USA and Russia in April 2010 and entered into force in 2011. It limits the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles for both countries. Russia suspended its participation in New START in 2023 amid tensions over Ukraine.
India's nuclear doctrine explicitly states India will use nuclear weapons if attacked with:
Correct Answer: B. Nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons
India's 2003 nuclear doctrine states that nuclear weapons will be used in retaliation against nuclear attacks on India and in retaliation against biological or chemical weapons attacks on India. This effectively makes nuclear weapons a deterrent against all WMD attacks. India does not have a declared policy on responding to conventional attacks with nuclear weapons.
The conference that led to the formation of the IAEA was:
Correct Answer: A. Atoms for Peace Conference (1955)
The International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy held in Geneva in 1955 (popularly related to the Atoms for Peace initiative) contributed to the momentum for establishing the IAEA. Eisenhower's 1953 Atoms for Peace speech directly led to IAEA negotiations. The IAEA Statute was signed in 1956 and the agency was formally established in 1957.
The Conference on Disarmament (CD) is based in:
Correct Answer: C. Geneva
The Conference on Disarmament (CD) is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is the world's single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum. It was established in 1979 and has 65 member states. The CD operates by consensus, which has made progress on major treaties like the FMCT extremely difficult.
Which of the following is true about India's position on the Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT)?
Correct Answer: B. India supports FMCT negotiations but wants existing stockpiles included
India supports FMCT negotiations but wants the treaty to cover not just future production but also existing stockpiles of fissile material. India argues that an FMCT that only caps future production while ignoring existing imbalances would not serve disarmament goals. This position distinguishes India's stance from Pakistan, which opposes FMCT negotiations altogether.
Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs) are established by:
Correct Answer: C. Regional treaties among states in the zone
Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs) are established by regional treaties concluded among states within the designated zone. They must conform to guidelines established by the UN Disarmament Commission. Nuclear weapon states are asked to sign protocols to NWFZs pledging not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against zone members.
India's position on joining NWFZs is:
Correct Answer: C. India has not joined any NWFZ and does not participate in one covering South Asia
India has not joined any Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and has not agreed to the establishment of a South Asian NWFZ. Pakistan has proposed establishing a South Asian NWFZ, but India has rejected this as it would require India to renounce its nuclear capability. India views NWFZs as useful for non-nuclear regions but not applicable to South Asia given China's nuclear capability.
The 'hot line' established between Moscow and Washington after the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) is relevant to nuclear policy because:
Correct Answer: B. It allowed direct communication to prevent nuclear war due to miscommunication
The 'hotline' established in 1963 between Washington and Moscow (the 'Moscow-Washington Direct Communications Link') enabled direct, rapid communication between the US and Soviet leaders to prevent accidental nuclear war resulting from miscommunication. The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 demonstrated the danger of miscommunication in nuclear crises. This concept of nuclear crisis communication has been replicated by other nuclear states.
India and Pakistan have established a hotline for nuclear issues and a nuclear confidence-building measure requiring:
Correct Answer: B. Notification of nuclear exercises and ban on attacking nuclear facilities
India and Pakistan concluded the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities in 1988, requiring both sides to exchange lists of each other's nuclear facilities on January 1 each year and not attack them. They also established a hotline between the two Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs). These are key nuclear confidence-building measures between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.