Question

What is the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty? Why has India been reluctant to join CTBT? Also, mention what benefits India can accrue by joining CTBT?

Answer 1

Approach:

• In brief write about CTBT
• Why India has not joined CTBT?
• What Benefits India can accrue by joining CTBT
• Provide Conclusion based on arguments provided.

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO)

• It is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments.
• It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996 and opened for signature. So far, 184 countries have signed the treaty and 168 of them have also ratified it (most recently Ghana on 14 June 2011).
• The CTBT will come into force when all the 44 countries which possess nuclear capability and research reactors agree to sign and ratify it. It was opened for signature in 1996 but is yet to come into force because eight countries have not signed or ratified it as yet. India, North Korea and Pakistan have neither signed nor ratified the treaty whereas China, Egypt, Iran, Israel and the United States have signed but have not ratified the treaty.

Why India has not joined CTBT?

• Divides the world permanently into nuclear "haves and have-nots”, as it favors the nuclear power states, who have already achieved sophistication in nuclear technology and have little utility in testing further. Whereas other countries’ programs would be stopped at the nascent stage itself.
• No time frame mentioned to dismantle existing nuclear weapons and is silent on complete nuclear disarmament. India’s principled opposition drew from its emphasis on universal and complete nuclear disarmament in a time-bound manner. India has traditionally believed this to be the end goal with the test ban just being a path to get there. But CTBT did not insist on a complete disarmament clause, acknowledging that it was a “complex issue.”
• Does not address India’s security concerns- as India faces threats from hostile neighbourhood. E.g. as a party to the CTBT, India would be waiving the possibility of testing and developing its own nuclear weapons whereas China would be able to retain its arsenal as per the NPT. This was compounded by the fear of nuclear collusion between China and Pakistan.
• Hinder India’s strategic nuclear program development- for scientific development and energy needs given its growing population and requirement of clean energy

Benefits India can accrue by joining CTBT

• Strategic Interests- By joining CTBT, India can get easy entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group as well as strengthen its claim to the UN Security Council.
• May help end the nuclear race in Asia- especially in India's neighbourhood, as it may lead to a follow up by Pakistan too (Pakistan has already joined CTBT as an observer).
• Gain access to data from the International Monitoring System- which uses advanced technologies like hydro acoustics, infrasound, radionuclide and can help India in areas such as disaster management, plane crash sites, mining and exploration.
• Become a part of international scientific community- which comes together under the aegis of the CTBTO and help India tap into numerous scientific cooperation with the world.

India believes its security would be enhanced, not diminished, in a world free of nuclear weapons. With the changing geopolitics, India can reacquaint itself with today’s global nuclear test ban, while making an important contribution to the multilateral verification regime under the CTBTO.