What is Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT ?

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as the Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT, is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.

When NPT came into force?

NPT was opened for signature in 1968 and the treaty entered into force in 1970.

As required by the text, after twenty-five years, NPT Parties met in May 1995 and agreed to extend the treaty indefinitely.

Must read: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) – signatories and legal status

How many countries have adhered to the NPT treaty?

More countries have adhered to the NPT than any other arms limitation and disarmament agreement, a testament to the treaty’s significance.

At present, 191 states have adhered to the treaty, though North Korea, which acceded in 1985 but never came into compliance, announced its withdrawal from the NPT in 2003, following detonation of nuclear devices in violation of core obligations.

How many countries have never accepted the NPT?

Four UN member states have never accepted the NPT, three of which are thought to possess nuclear weapons: India, Israel, and Pakistan. In addition, South Sudan, founded in 2011, has not joined.

Must read: Evolution of Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)

What are the three pillars of NPT?

Although the concept of “pillars” is not expressed anywhere in the NPT, the treaty is nevertheless sometimes interpreted as a three-pillar system, with an implicit balance among them:

1 . Non-proliferation

Under Article I of the NPT, nuclear-weapon states pledge not to transfer nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices to any recipient or in any way assist, encourage or induce any non-nuclear-weapon state in the manufacture or acquisition of a nuclear weapon.

Under Article II of the NPT, non-nuclear-weapon states pledge not to acquire or exercise control over nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices and not to seek or receive assistance in the manufacture of such devices.

Under Article III of the Treaty, non-nuclear-weapon states pledge to accept IAEA safeguards to verify that their nuclear activities serve only peaceful purposes

2 . Disarmament

Under Article VI of the NPT, all Parties undertake to pursue good-faith negotiations on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race, to nuclear disarmament, and to general and complete disarmament.

Article VI of the NPT represents the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by the nuclear-weapon states.

3 . Right to peacefully use nuclear technology

NPT Article IV acknowledges the right of all Parties to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and to benefit from international cooperation in this area, in conformity with their nonproliferation obligations. Article IV also encourages such cooperation.

How many states are recognized by NPT as nuclear weapon states?

Five states are recognized by NPT as nuclear weapon states (NWS): China , France , Soviet Union (now Russian Federation), the United Kingdom and the United States , which also happen to be the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Why India has not accepted the NPT?

India argues that the NPT creates a club of “nuclear haves” and a larger group of “nuclear have-nots” by restricting the legal possession of nuclear weapons to those states that tested them before 1967, but the treaty never explains on what ethical grounds such a distinction is valid.

Can a country leave the NPT?

Article X allows a state to leave the treaty if “extraordinary events, related to the subject matter of this Treaty, have jeopardized the supreme interests of its country”, giving three months’ (ninety days’) notice. The state is required to give reasons for leaving the NPT in this notice.

Why is NPT criticized?

Critics argue that the NPT cannot stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons or the motivation to acquire them.

They express disappointment with the limited progress on nuclear disarmament, where the five authorized nuclear weapons states still have 13,400 warheads in their combined stockpile.

Several high-ranking officials within the United Nations have said that they can do little to stop states using nuclear reactors to produce nuclear weapons.

External link: https://www.iaea.org/publications/documents/treaties/npt