UPSC Prelims 2015 Question:

Consider the following countries:

1. China 
2. France 
3. India 
4. Israel 
5. Pakistan
    

Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?

Explanation: 

• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is a landmark international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.
  
  
• Taiwan along with 189 Nation States are parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
  
  
• All five declared nuclear weapon States, that have done nuclear tests before 1967 like China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) are part of the NPT. So, points 1 and 2 are correct.
  
  
• This has led to recognition of the 5 nation state, but States who have gone for weapon test post-1967 have not been recognized.​ These states are India, Pakistan, Israel, Iran and North Korea. So, points 3, 4 and 5 are not correct.
  
  
• India’s refusal to accede to the NPT is on grounds that it is a biased legal instrument that divided the world into “nuclear haves” and “nuclear have-nots.”
  
  

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | International Relations