Non-Proliferation Treaty
Full Form of NPT
What is NPT?
The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an international agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Opened for signature in 1968, it has been ratified by 191 countries, making it one of the most widely adhered-to arms control treaties. The NPT establishes three main pillars: non-proliferation, disarmament, and the right to peaceful nuclear technology. India, however, has never signed the NPT, maintaining that the treaty is discriminatory and does not address universal disarmament. India tested its first nuclear device in 1974 and conducted a series of tests in 1998, after which it declared itself a nuclear weapon state. Despite remaining outside the treaty, India has consistently upheld a voluntary moratorium on further testing and supports global nuclear disarmament. The NPT is a critical topic in Indian competitive examinations such as UPSC, where it appears in international relations and security sections. Students and professionals studying foreign policy must understand India’s position on the NPT and its implications for regional stability, especially in the context of its neighbours China and Pakistan, both of which are NPT signatories.
NPT का फुल फॉर्म
अप्रसार संधि
Example
India has consistently refused to sign the NPT, arguing that it perpetuates a divide between nuclear haves and have-nots.