{"id":30819,"date":"2024-10-14T18:52:26","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T13:22:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=30819"},"modified":"2024-10-14T18:52:27","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T13:22:27","slug":"nuclear-disarmament-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/14-10-2024\/nuclear-disarmament-2","title":{"rendered":"Nuclear Disarmament"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Internal Security, Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Japanese atom bomb survivors\u2019 organisation <strong>Nihon Hidankyo has won the Nobel Peace Prize <\/strong>for its \u201cefforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons\u201d.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The argument for <strong>nuclear disarmament <\/strong>is rooted in the <strong>terrible effects and aftereffects<\/strong> of nuclear weapons, which were seen first hand in <strong>Hiroshima and Nagasaki.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>From the <strong>immediate thermal and shock effects<\/strong> to long term environmental damage, a nuclear detonation exacts terrible human costs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weapons available today are m<strong>any times more devastating than the ones detonated in Japan in 1945.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e0e4df\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"152\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Nuclear-Disarmament-1024x152.webp\" alt=\"Nuclear-Disarmament\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-30820\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e0e4df; width:754px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Nuclear-Disarmament-1024x152.webp 1024w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Nuclear-Disarmament-300x44.webp 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Nuclear-Disarmament-768x114.webp 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Nuclear-Disarmament-jpg.webp 1356w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Concerns: <\/strong>Over the first 9 weeks of a nuclear explosion, it is estimated that roughly 10% of deaths will be due to the effects of radiation, with 90% deaths being due to thermal injuries or blast effects.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However, the effects of radiation will manifest themselves in the<strong> form of various cancers and genetic damage <\/strong>over the coming years and generations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Nuclear Disarmament<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Disarmament refers to the <strong>act of eliminating or abolishing weapons <\/strong>(particularly offensive arms) either unilaterally or reciprocally.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It may refer either to <strong>reducing the number of arms, or to eliminating entire categories of weapons.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Nuclear Powers in the World<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are <strong>nine countries<\/strong> recognized as possessing nuclear weapons.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These countries are often referred to as &#8220;<strong>nuclear-armed states&#8221; or &#8220;nuclear powers.&#8221;\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Treaties Related to Nuclear Disarmament<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT):<\/strong> Signed in <strong>1968 <\/strong>and entered into<strong> force in 1970,<\/strong> the NPT aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It divides the world into nuclear-weapon states (NWS), recognized as possessing nuclear weapons at the time of the treaty&#8217;s signing, and non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS), which agree not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The treaty also requires NWS to pursue disarmament negotiations in good faith.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW):<\/strong> Adopted by the United Nations in <strong>2017 <\/strong>and opened for signature in 2018, the TPNW aims to prohibit the development, testing, production, stockpiling, stationing, transfer, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It represents a significant step towards nuclear disarmament, although it has not been signed by nuclear-armed states.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT): <\/strong>Opened for signature in <strong>1996<\/strong>, the CTBT aims to ban all nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While the treaty has been signed by <strong>185 <\/strong>countries and ratified by <strong>170<\/strong>, it has not entered into force as nuclear-armed states must ratify it to become operational.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Outer Space Treaty: <\/strong>This multilateral agreement entered into force in 1967 and bans the siting of weapons of mass destruction in space.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All nine states believed to have nuclear weapons are parties to this treaty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Arguments in Favour of Nuclear Disarmament<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Humanitarian Concerns:<\/strong> Nuclear weapons possess unparalleled destructive power, capable of causing immense loss of life, widespread devastation, and long-term environmental damage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global Security: <\/strong>The proliferation of nuclear weapons increases the likelihood of their use, whether intentionally or accidentally, leading to catastrophic consequences for humanity.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Benefits:<\/strong> Maintaining and modernizing nuclear arsenals incurs substantial financial costs for countries whereas funds can be redirected from nuclear weapons towards more constructive purposes to improve overall well-being.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Non-proliferation and Arms Control:<\/strong> By demonstrating commitment to disarmament, nuclear-armed states can encourage non-nuclear-weapon states to adhere to non-proliferation agreements and refrain from developing their own nuclear capabilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ethical and Moral Imperatives:<\/strong> Eliminating nuclear weapons is viewed as a moral imperative and a step towards building a more peaceful and just world.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Environment Pollution:<\/strong> Nuclear weapons testing and potential use have devastating environmental consequences, including radioactive contamination of land, air, and water.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Arguments Against Nuclear Disarmament<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Deterrence:<\/strong> Proponents of nuclear deterrence argue that possessing nuclear weapons serves as a powerful deterrent against potential adversaries, preventing conflicts and maintaining strategic stability.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Security:<\/strong> Possessing nuclear arsenals provides a form of insurance against potential threats and enhances the ability to protect the interests and sovereignty of a country in an uncertain international environment.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For these countries, relinquishing nuclear weapons could be perceived as weakening their security posture and leaving them vulnerable to external threats.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strategic Stability: <\/strong>Nuclear weapons are often seen as instruments for maintaining strategic stability between rival nuclear-armed states.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Geopolitical Tensions: Tensions between nuclear powers<\/strong> such as <strong>India and Pakistan<\/strong>, <strong>USA and Russia<\/strong>, and <strong>North Korea and the USA<\/strong> make disarmament difficult. In regions of high conflict, nuclear weapons are seen as necessary for survival or maintaining a balance of power.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Verification and Compliance: <\/strong>Critics argue that without robust verification mechanisms and effective enforcement measures, countries may exploit disarmament agreements for strategic advantage.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Geopolitical Realities:<\/strong> Deep-rooted mistrust, unresolved conflicts, and strategic competition among states make it difficult to envision a scenario in which all countries would willingly and simultaneously relinquish their nuclear weapons.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nuclear disarmament is seen as a crucial step towards reducing the risks and promoting international peace and stability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>While achieving complete nuclear disarmament may be a long-term objective, incremental progress can still be made through concerted international efforts and cooperation.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It requires sustained commitment from all nations to work towards a world free of nuclear weapons, ensuring the security and well-being of future generations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>India\u2019s Nuclear Weapon Program<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Smiling Buddha:<\/strong> In 1974, India conducted its first nuclear test code-named &#8220;Smiling Buddha, and since then, it has developed a nuclear triad consisting of land-based, sea-based, and air based delivery systems.\u00a0<br>&#8211; <strong>Operation Shakti: <\/strong>In 1998, India conducted a series of nuclear tests at Pokhran, codenamed &#8220;Operation Shakti.&#8221;\u00a0<br>1. These tests included both fission and fusion devices and marked India&#8217;s formal entry into the nuclear weapons club.<br>&#8211; <strong>International Criticism:<\/strong> The international community has criticised India&#8217;s nuclear weapons programme, particularly the United States and its allies.\u00a0<br>&#8211; <strong>No First Use:<\/strong> India has a<strong> &#8220;no first use&#8221; policy, <\/strong>meaning it pledges not to use nuclear weapons first in a conflict but reserves the right to retaliate if attacked with nuclear weapons.\u00a0<br><strong>India\u2019s stance on nuclear disarmament?\u00a0<\/strong><br>&#8211; India has argued that any country&#8217;s possession of nuclear weapons poses a threat to global security, and that the only way to ensure peace and stability is for all nuclear weapons to be destroyed.\u00a0<br>&#8211; India is<strong> not a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)<\/strong>, and stated that the NPT is discriminatory and perpetuates a two-tiered system of<strong> nuclear haves and have-nots<\/strong> by unfairly restricting access to peaceful nuclear technology for non-nuclear weapon states.<br>&#8211; <strong>National Security:<\/strong> India&#8217;s nuclear weapons programme is a legitimate expression of its national sovereignty, and that India has the right to defend itself against potential threats.\u00a0<br>1. India&#8217;s nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation policy is complex and nuanced, reflecting the country&#8217;s <strong>desire for security and recognition<\/strong>, as well as its commitment to global disarmament and non-proliferation.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-sci-tech\/what-happens-when-a-nuclear-weapon-goes-off-9616586\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Japanese atom bomb survivors\u2019 organisation Nihon Hidankyo has won the Nobel Peace Prize for its \u201cefforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30819","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30819"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30819\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30821,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30819\/revisions\/30821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30819"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30819"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30819"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}