Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Global Issues, Issue: need for a global No-First-Use (NFU) treaty.
Context:
The world today stands at a dangerous nuclear crossroads and a collapsing arms-control regime and rising nuclear tensions make global restraint urgent.
Key Highlights:
- A universal No-First-Use treaty could provide stability by preventing any nuclear-armed state from initiating a nuclear attack.
The Escalating Nuclear Threat: The threat of nuclear weapons is once again looming large on the global stage. Several factors contribute to this alarming trend:
- Doomsday Clock: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved the Doomsday Clock closer to midnight, indicating an increased risk of nuclear catastrophe.
- Treaty Breakdown: Key nuclear arms control treaties, such as the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, have collapsed, and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty faces an uncertain future.
- Resumption of Nuclear Testing: The potential resumption of nuclear tests by the United States could undermine the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
- Development of New Weapons: Countries are actively developing and showcasing new nuclear weapons, further fueling the arms race.
- Russian Nuclear Rhetoric: Russia has engaged in nuclear saber-rattling to deter NATO support for Ukraine, raising concerns about potential nuclear adventurism.
The Case for a No-First-Use Treaty:
- In light of these developments, a global No-First-Use (NFU) treaty is crucial to re-establish nuclear restraint.
- Definition of NFU: An NFU treaty commits nuclear powers to only use nuclear weapons in retaliation for a nuclear attack.
- China and India’s NFU Policy: China adopted an NFU policy after joining the nuclear club in 1964, and India formalized it as its doctrine in 1998.
- Restraining Nuclear Threats: An NFU treaty would restrain nuclear threats and limit the scope for actual nuclear adventurism.
India’s Role as a Champion of NFU:
- India is uniquely positioned to champion the cause of a global NFU treaty.
- Credibility and Autonomy: India’s own NFU doctrine gives it the credibility and autonomy to advocate for its global adoption.
- Leading by Example: By actively promoting NFU, India can set an example for other nuclear powers to follow.
- Diplomatic Initiative: India can use its diplomatic channels to engage with other countries and build consensus around an NFU treaty.
The Dangers of a Nuclear Arms Race:
- New Directions and Risks: It veers off in new directions, taking humanity closer to extinction.
- Nuclear Weapons in Space: The development of nuclear-powered weapons, such as Russia’s Burevestnik missile, raises the risk of nuclear weapons being deployed in space.
- Violation of Treaties: The risk of violating the global treaty on keeping nukes out of space shows the futility of trying to gain superiority in a nuclear arms race.
Keeping Nukes Out of Space:
- Preventing the weaponization of space is another vital cause.
- Nuclear-Powered Satellites: Russia’s development of a tiny nuclear reactor could be placed in a satellite for energy and its power deployed against enemy targets in orbit, which could be zapped into dysfunction or wholly destroyed.
- Global Treaty Violation: The risk that the global treaty on this may get violated just shows the futility of any side trying to gain superiority in a nuclear arms race.
The world needs a measure of security against nuclear catastrophe. An NFU treaty would make a difference by reducing the risk of nuclear conflict and promoting a more stable and secure world. India must take the lead in advocating for this crucial initiative.
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