Basics of NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty)

As everything has its Pros and cons, nuclear technology also has its part to play for the good and the bad. A nuclear weapon is a weapon of Mass destruction. One nuclear warhead can cause billions of loss to lives and property. Keeping this threat in mind, the NPT or the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was floated in 1968. 189 countries have signed on the treaty so far other than India, Israel, Pakistan and North Korea. 5 of the 189 countries namely US of A, UK, France, China and Russia, have Nuclear weapons. These are also the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Ireland was the country which proposed the treaty and Finland was the first to sign it. The NPT basically has three clauses of agreement:
1 Non-Proliferation – Under this clause the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council who are also the Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) agree not to transfer nuclear weapons to other states and they would also not encourage, assist or induce Non Nuclear Weapons States (NNWS) to acquire, develop or produce Nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices. The 5 NWS have also made undertakings not to use nuclear weapons against NNWS unless in response to a Nuclear attack or a allied attack with a nuclear weapon state.
2 Nuclear Disarmament – As the name suggests, this clause means that eventually all the nations agree and work on good faith towards a common goal of disarming the world of Nuclear weapons. This clause though has some loopholes which have become a hurdle in complete disarmament concept.
3 Nuclear for Peaceful Use – This clause suggests that all the signatories of the treaty will concentrate and dedicate their nuclear energy towards useful purpose like generation of Electricity, etc.

The Non proliferation treaty is a Big and good step towards attaining world peace, but it is a question that why is it that the clauses and agreement terms are not as simple as destroying all nuclear weapons by all nations at a go? Million Pound question, isn’t it?

Linus Orakles
http://www.authorclub.info/