Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its significance in present times

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, commonly known as the NPT, is an international agreement that was opened for signature in 1968 and came into force in 1970, with the primary objective of preventing the further spread of nuclear weapons across the globe, promoting cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and advancing the cause of nuclear disarmament among the existing nuclear powers.

- TDG NETWORK

The treaty has been signed by nearly 190 countries, making it one of the most widely adhered-to arms control agreements in history, and it essentially divides the world into nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states, placing specific obligations on each group to ensure global nuclear security.

GUIDELINES AND OBLIGATIONS

Under the NPT, non-nuclear-weapon states commit to not acquiring nuclear weapons or seeking to develop them, thereby agreeing to forgo nuclear arms in exchange for access to peaceful nuclear technology and assistance, which is monitored and verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) through inspections and safeguards designed to detect any diversion of nuclear material to weapon programs.

Meanwhile, the five recognized nuclear-weapon states under the treaty—the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom—agree to pursue negotiations in good faith toward nuclear disarmament and to refrain from transferring nuclear weapons to non-nuclear states.

The treaty also guarantees the right of all parties to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, provided they comply with IAEA safeguards to prevent misuse.

MERITS