International Relations: June 2021 Current Affair | UPSC Mains: International Relations PDF Download

 Page 1


 
9                                                                                                                                                        
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
2.1. NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT 
Why in news? 
According to recently released Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2021 report, the 
overall number of nuclear warheads in global military stockpiles now appears to be increasing. 
More about the report 
• Indian nuclear warheads increased from 150 at the start of 2020 to 156 at the start of 2021. 
• Pakistan and China’s nuclear warheads have also increased.  
• Russia and the U.S. together possessed over 90% of global nuclear weapons. 
These increasing numbers of nuclear warheads highlights a worrisome sign for Nuclear Disarmament as it 
indicates that the declining trend of global nuclear arsenals since the end of the Cold War has stalled. 
What is Nuclear Disarmament? 
• Nuclear disarmament is the act of reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons. It aims towards achieving a 
state where nuclear weapons are eliminated. The term denuclearization is also used to describe the process 
leading to complete nuclear disarmament. 
• UN sought to eliminate nuclear weapons in the first resolution adopted by UN General Assembly in 1946. 
Steps taken till now to achieve nuclear disarmament 
Key Treaties for Nuclear 
Disarmament, Arms Control 
and Non-Proliferation 
Mandate of the treaty 
Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), 
1963 
It prohibits testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, in outer space, under 
water, or in any area within a state’s territory that would cause radioactive fallout 
outside the state's territory. 
Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation of nuclear 
weapons (NPT), 1970 
It seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to promote peaceful uses of 
nuclear energy and to move towards nuclear disarmament. 
? It is the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of 
disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States. 
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-
Ban Treaty (CTBT) 
It is an international treaty that bans all nuclear explosions in all environments. It 
opened for signature in 1996 but has not yet entered into force. 
Treaty on the Prohibition of 
nuclear weapons (TPNW) 
It is a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their 
total elimination. 
? It includes a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear 
weapon activities which include undertakings to develop, test, produce, acquire, 
possess, stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. 
? It entered into force recently in 2020. 
 
India’s role in global nuclear disarmament  
India has always been an ardent supporter of multilateral nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. 
Page 2


 
9                                                                                                                                                        
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
2.1. NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT 
Why in news? 
According to recently released Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2021 report, the 
overall number of nuclear warheads in global military stockpiles now appears to be increasing. 
More about the report 
• Indian nuclear warheads increased from 150 at the start of 2020 to 156 at the start of 2021. 
• Pakistan and China’s nuclear warheads have also increased.  
• Russia and the U.S. together possessed over 90% of global nuclear weapons. 
These increasing numbers of nuclear warheads highlights a worrisome sign for Nuclear Disarmament as it 
indicates that the declining trend of global nuclear arsenals since the end of the Cold War has stalled. 
What is Nuclear Disarmament? 
• Nuclear disarmament is the act of reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons. It aims towards achieving a 
state where nuclear weapons are eliminated. The term denuclearization is also used to describe the process 
leading to complete nuclear disarmament. 
• UN sought to eliminate nuclear weapons in the first resolution adopted by UN General Assembly in 1946. 
Steps taken till now to achieve nuclear disarmament 
Key Treaties for Nuclear 
Disarmament, Arms Control 
and Non-Proliferation 
Mandate of the treaty 
Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), 
1963 
It prohibits testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, in outer space, under 
water, or in any area within a state’s territory that would cause radioactive fallout 
outside the state's territory. 
Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation of nuclear 
weapons (NPT), 1970 
It seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to promote peaceful uses of 
nuclear energy and to move towards nuclear disarmament. 
? It is the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of 
disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States. 
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-
Ban Treaty (CTBT) 
It is an international treaty that bans all nuclear explosions in all environments. It 
opened for signature in 1996 but has not yet entered into force. 
Treaty on the Prohibition of 
nuclear weapons (TPNW) 
It is a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their 
total elimination. 
? It includes a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear 
weapon activities which include undertakings to develop, test, produce, acquire, 
possess, stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. 
? It entered into force recently in 2020. 
 
India’s role in global nuclear disarmament  
India has always been an ardent supporter of multilateral nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. 
 
10                                                                                                                                                        
 
Conference on Disarmament (CD) 
• It was formed in 1979 as the single multilateral disarmament negotiation forum of the international community, 
after agreement was reached among Member States during the first special session of the UN General Assembly 
(UNGA) devoted to disarmament (1978). 
• Since the conclusion of the negotiation of the CTBT in 1996, the CD remains deadlocked and has not been able to 
reach consensus on a programme of work and thus to commence substantive deliberations. 
India’s nuclear doctrine 
• Building and maintaining a credible minimum deterrent. 
• A posture of "No First Use". Nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on India.  
• Nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage. 
• Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states. 
• Continued commitment to the goal of a nuclear weapon free world, through global, verifiable and non-discriminatory 
nuclear disarmament. 
*To know more about India’s Nuclear Doctrine, kindly refer to our Weekly Focus document- “India’s Nuclear Doctrine.” 
 
What are the challenges associated with global Nuclear Disarmament?  
• Modernisation of nuclear weapons: There has been considerable effort at modernizing nuclear inventories 
among several nuclear weapon states. 
? For example, U.S. efforts at deploying new low-yield warheads on its nuclear-powered ballistic missile 
submarines (SSBNs) are a case in point. 
• Lack of Consensus among major powers: US has eliminated key nuclear agreements such as the 
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) 
further brought considerable strain on the bilateral relationship between major nuclear powers, USA and 
Russia, and also on global nuclear order. 
? Also, US withdrawal from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal pushed Iran towards 
Uranium enrichment programs. 
Page 3


 
9                                                                                                                                                        
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
2.1. NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT 
Why in news? 
According to recently released Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2021 report, the 
overall number of nuclear warheads in global military stockpiles now appears to be increasing. 
More about the report 
• Indian nuclear warheads increased from 150 at the start of 2020 to 156 at the start of 2021. 
• Pakistan and China’s nuclear warheads have also increased.  
• Russia and the U.S. together possessed over 90% of global nuclear weapons. 
These increasing numbers of nuclear warheads highlights a worrisome sign for Nuclear Disarmament as it 
indicates that the declining trend of global nuclear arsenals since the end of the Cold War has stalled. 
What is Nuclear Disarmament? 
• Nuclear disarmament is the act of reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons. It aims towards achieving a 
state where nuclear weapons are eliminated. The term denuclearization is also used to describe the process 
leading to complete nuclear disarmament. 
• UN sought to eliminate nuclear weapons in the first resolution adopted by UN General Assembly in 1946. 
Steps taken till now to achieve nuclear disarmament 
Key Treaties for Nuclear 
Disarmament, Arms Control 
and Non-Proliferation 
Mandate of the treaty 
Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), 
1963 
It prohibits testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, in outer space, under 
water, or in any area within a state’s territory that would cause radioactive fallout 
outside the state's territory. 
Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation of nuclear 
weapons (NPT), 1970 
It seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to promote peaceful uses of 
nuclear energy and to move towards nuclear disarmament. 
? It is the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of 
disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States. 
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-
Ban Treaty (CTBT) 
It is an international treaty that bans all nuclear explosions in all environments. It 
opened for signature in 1996 but has not yet entered into force. 
Treaty on the Prohibition of 
nuclear weapons (TPNW) 
It is a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their 
total elimination. 
? It includes a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear 
weapon activities which include undertakings to develop, test, produce, acquire, 
possess, stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. 
? It entered into force recently in 2020. 
 
India’s role in global nuclear disarmament  
India has always been an ardent supporter of multilateral nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. 
 
10                                                                                                                                                        
 
Conference on Disarmament (CD) 
• It was formed in 1979 as the single multilateral disarmament negotiation forum of the international community, 
after agreement was reached among Member States during the first special session of the UN General Assembly 
(UNGA) devoted to disarmament (1978). 
• Since the conclusion of the negotiation of the CTBT in 1996, the CD remains deadlocked and has not been able to 
reach consensus on a programme of work and thus to commence substantive deliberations. 
India’s nuclear doctrine 
• Building and maintaining a credible minimum deterrent. 
• A posture of "No First Use". Nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on India.  
• Nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage. 
• Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states. 
• Continued commitment to the goal of a nuclear weapon free world, through global, verifiable and non-discriminatory 
nuclear disarmament. 
*To know more about India’s Nuclear Doctrine, kindly refer to our Weekly Focus document- “India’s Nuclear Doctrine.” 
 
What are the challenges associated with global Nuclear Disarmament?  
• Modernisation of nuclear weapons: There has been considerable effort at modernizing nuclear inventories 
among several nuclear weapon states. 
? For example, U.S. efforts at deploying new low-yield warheads on its nuclear-powered ballistic missile 
submarines (SSBNs) are a case in point. 
• Lack of Consensus among major powers: US has eliminated key nuclear agreements such as the 
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) 
further brought considerable strain on the bilateral relationship between major nuclear powers, USA and 
Russia, and also on global nuclear order. 
? Also, US withdrawal from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal pushed Iran towards 
Uranium enrichment programs. 
 
11                                                                                                                                                        
• China’s expansionist nuclear policy: China’s rejection to join multilateral discussions on a possible post-INF 
mechanism and the worsening of relations of the West with China and Russia, as well as the growing 
adversarial nature of relations between India, Pakistan, and China will likely mean that the pace of nuclear 
modernization and expansion will continue. 
• Impact of COVID Pandemic: Worsened China-US bilateral ties, fueled by COVID tensions, coupled with the 
erosion of global nuclear governance have stirred a nuclear populism in China that calls for a dramatic 
increase in its nuclear stockpile.  
• Nuclear Activism in Indo-Pacific region: It is difficult to uphold the policy of nuclear disarmament with 
global power shift to Indo-Pacific region and when the Quad is lobbying to counter Chinese expansionism in 
this region.  
What can be done to reignite nuclear disarmament?  
To eliminate nuclear weapons, the international community may take the following steps: 
• Major role by major nuclear powers: The nuclear-weapon States possessing the largest nuclear arsenals 
bear special responsibility for nuclear disarmament. They should continue to reduce drastically their 
respective nuclear arsenals on the principle of irreversibility. 
• Renunciation of Nuclear deterrence policy: All the nuclear-weapon States should renounce the nuclear 
deterrence policy based on the first use of nuclear weapons, undertake unconditionally not to be the first to 
use nuclear weapons and conclude an international legal instrument to such effect. 
? Also, there should be no use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear-weapon-
free zones, and a relevant international legal instrument should be concluded. 
• Creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones: All the nuclear-weapon States should support the efforts to 
establish nuclear-weapon-free zones, respect the status of those zones and assume the relevant obligations. 
• Denuclearization: Based on the above-mentioned efforts, a convention on the complete prohibition of 
nuclear weapons could be negotiated. 
2.2. INDIA’S CIVIL 
NUCLEAR ENERGY 
COOPERATION 
Why in news? 
Recently, Russian nuclear major 
Rosatom began construction of 
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant 
(NPP) Unit 5 in India in cooperation 
with Nuclear Power Corporation of 
India Ltd (NPCIL), a PSU under the 
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). 
About India’s Nuclear Energy 
Architecture  
• At present, India has civil nuclear 
agreements with 14 countries, 
namely Argentina, Australia, 
Canada, Czech Republic, France, 
Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, 
Namibia, Russia, South Korea, 
United Kingdom, US and Vietnam.  
• This, is despite India not being a 
signatory to the Non-Proliferation 
Treaty and operating outside the 
ambit of the Nuclear Suppliers 
Group.  
Page 4


 
9                                                                                                                                                        
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
2.1. NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT 
Why in news? 
According to recently released Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2021 report, the 
overall number of nuclear warheads in global military stockpiles now appears to be increasing. 
More about the report 
• Indian nuclear warheads increased from 150 at the start of 2020 to 156 at the start of 2021. 
• Pakistan and China’s nuclear warheads have also increased.  
• Russia and the U.S. together possessed over 90% of global nuclear weapons. 
These increasing numbers of nuclear warheads highlights a worrisome sign for Nuclear Disarmament as it 
indicates that the declining trend of global nuclear arsenals since the end of the Cold War has stalled. 
What is Nuclear Disarmament? 
• Nuclear disarmament is the act of reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons. It aims towards achieving a 
state where nuclear weapons are eliminated. The term denuclearization is also used to describe the process 
leading to complete nuclear disarmament. 
• UN sought to eliminate nuclear weapons in the first resolution adopted by UN General Assembly in 1946. 
Steps taken till now to achieve nuclear disarmament 
Key Treaties for Nuclear 
Disarmament, Arms Control 
and Non-Proliferation 
Mandate of the treaty 
Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), 
1963 
It prohibits testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, in outer space, under 
water, or in any area within a state’s territory that would cause radioactive fallout 
outside the state's territory. 
Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation of nuclear 
weapons (NPT), 1970 
It seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to promote peaceful uses of 
nuclear energy and to move towards nuclear disarmament. 
? It is the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of 
disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States. 
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-
Ban Treaty (CTBT) 
It is an international treaty that bans all nuclear explosions in all environments. It 
opened for signature in 1996 but has not yet entered into force. 
Treaty on the Prohibition of 
nuclear weapons (TPNW) 
It is a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their 
total elimination. 
? It includes a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear 
weapon activities which include undertakings to develop, test, produce, acquire, 
possess, stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. 
? It entered into force recently in 2020. 
 
India’s role in global nuclear disarmament  
India has always been an ardent supporter of multilateral nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. 
 
10                                                                                                                                                        
 
Conference on Disarmament (CD) 
• It was formed in 1979 as the single multilateral disarmament negotiation forum of the international community, 
after agreement was reached among Member States during the first special session of the UN General Assembly 
(UNGA) devoted to disarmament (1978). 
• Since the conclusion of the negotiation of the CTBT in 1996, the CD remains deadlocked and has not been able to 
reach consensus on a programme of work and thus to commence substantive deliberations. 
India’s nuclear doctrine 
• Building and maintaining a credible minimum deterrent. 
• A posture of "No First Use". Nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on India.  
• Nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage. 
• Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states. 
• Continued commitment to the goal of a nuclear weapon free world, through global, verifiable and non-discriminatory 
nuclear disarmament. 
*To know more about India’s Nuclear Doctrine, kindly refer to our Weekly Focus document- “India’s Nuclear Doctrine.” 
 
What are the challenges associated with global Nuclear Disarmament?  
• Modernisation of nuclear weapons: There has been considerable effort at modernizing nuclear inventories 
among several nuclear weapon states. 
? For example, U.S. efforts at deploying new low-yield warheads on its nuclear-powered ballistic missile 
submarines (SSBNs) are a case in point. 
• Lack of Consensus among major powers: US has eliminated key nuclear agreements such as the 
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) 
further brought considerable strain on the bilateral relationship between major nuclear powers, USA and 
Russia, and also on global nuclear order. 
? Also, US withdrawal from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal pushed Iran towards 
Uranium enrichment programs. 
 
11                                                                                                                                                        
• China’s expansionist nuclear policy: China’s rejection to join multilateral discussions on a possible post-INF 
mechanism and the worsening of relations of the West with China and Russia, as well as the growing 
adversarial nature of relations between India, Pakistan, and China will likely mean that the pace of nuclear 
modernization and expansion will continue. 
• Impact of COVID Pandemic: Worsened China-US bilateral ties, fueled by COVID tensions, coupled with the 
erosion of global nuclear governance have stirred a nuclear populism in China that calls for a dramatic 
increase in its nuclear stockpile.  
• Nuclear Activism in Indo-Pacific region: It is difficult to uphold the policy of nuclear disarmament with 
global power shift to Indo-Pacific region and when the Quad is lobbying to counter Chinese expansionism in 
this region.  
What can be done to reignite nuclear disarmament?  
To eliminate nuclear weapons, the international community may take the following steps: 
• Major role by major nuclear powers: The nuclear-weapon States possessing the largest nuclear arsenals 
bear special responsibility for nuclear disarmament. They should continue to reduce drastically their 
respective nuclear arsenals on the principle of irreversibility. 
• Renunciation of Nuclear deterrence policy: All the nuclear-weapon States should renounce the nuclear 
deterrence policy based on the first use of nuclear weapons, undertake unconditionally not to be the first to 
use nuclear weapons and conclude an international legal instrument to such effect. 
? Also, there should be no use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear-weapon-
free zones, and a relevant international legal instrument should be concluded. 
• Creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones: All the nuclear-weapon States should support the efforts to 
establish nuclear-weapon-free zones, respect the status of those zones and assume the relevant obligations. 
• Denuclearization: Based on the above-mentioned efforts, a convention on the complete prohibition of 
nuclear weapons could be negotiated. 
2.2. INDIA’S CIVIL 
NUCLEAR ENERGY 
COOPERATION 
Why in news? 
Recently, Russian nuclear major 
Rosatom began construction of 
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant 
(NPP) Unit 5 in India in cooperation 
with Nuclear Power Corporation of 
India Ltd (NPCIL), a PSU under the 
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). 
About India’s Nuclear Energy 
Architecture  
• At present, India has civil nuclear 
agreements with 14 countries, 
namely Argentina, Australia, 
Canada, Czech Republic, France, 
Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, 
Namibia, Russia, South Korea, 
United Kingdom, US and Vietnam.  
• This, is despite India not being a 
signatory to the Non-Proliferation 
Treaty and operating outside the 
ambit of the Nuclear Suppliers 
Group.  
 
12                                                                                                                                                        
 
• A central tenet of these agreements is the focus on the peaceful purposes of nuclear power which entails 
the use of information, nuclear material, equipment, or components in such fields as research, power 
generation, medicine, agriculture, and industry. 
• India has observed a self-moratorium on conducting nuclear tests after the second round of Pokhran in 
1998 and has abided by the principles of the NPT far better than even some of its signatories.  
• India has a 3-stage nuclear energy program which is based on a closed nuclear fuel cycle-  
o Stage-I: Natural uranium fuelled Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).  
o Stage-II: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) utilising plutonium-based fuel. 
o Stage-III: Advanced nuclear power systems for utilisation of thorium.  
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) 
• It was established in 1974 as a result of successful nuclear test conducted by India (Operation Smiling Buddha or 
Pokhran-I). 
• It is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seeks to contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons 
through the implementation of guidelines for nuclear exports and nuclear-related exports. 
• India is not a member of this group. 
What is the need for engaging in Nuclear Energy Cooperation?  
• Sustainable harnessing of energy: Nuclear energy cooperation is needed for long-term planning and 
collaboration on innovations in reactors, fuel cycles and institutional approaches that will promote the 
sustainable development of nuclear energy. 
Page 5


 
9                                                                                                                                                        
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
2.1. NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT 
Why in news? 
According to recently released Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2021 report, the 
overall number of nuclear warheads in global military stockpiles now appears to be increasing. 
More about the report 
• Indian nuclear warheads increased from 150 at the start of 2020 to 156 at the start of 2021. 
• Pakistan and China’s nuclear warheads have also increased.  
• Russia and the U.S. together possessed over 90% of global nuclear weapons. 
These increasing numbers of nuclear warheads highlights a worrisome sign for Nuclear Disarmament as it 
indicates that the declining trend of global nuclear arsenals since the end of the Cold War has stalled. 
What is Nuclear Disarmament? 
• Nuclear disarmament is the act of reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons. It aims towards achieving a 
state where nuclear weapons are eliminated. The term denuclearization is also used to describe the process 
leading to complete nuclear disarmament. 
• UN sought to eliminate nuclear weapons in the first resolution adopted by UN General Assembly in 1946. 
Steps taken till now to achieve nuclear disarmament 
Key Treaties for Nuclear 
Disarmament, Arms Control 
and Non-Proliferation 
Mandate of the treaty 
Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), 
1963 
It prohibits testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, in outer space, under 
water, or in any area within a state’s territory that would cause radioactive fallout 
outside the state's territory. 
Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation of nuclear 
weapons (NPT), 1970 
It seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to promote peaceful uses of 
nuclear energy and to move towards nuclear disarmament. 
? It is the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of 
disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States. 
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-
Ban Treaty (CTBT) 
It is an international treaty that bans all nuclear explosions in all environments. It 
opened for signature in 1996 but has not yet entered into force. 
Treaty on the Prohibition of 
nuclear weapons (TPNW) 
It is a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their 
total elimination. 
? It includes a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear 
weapon activities which include undertakings to develop, test, produce, acquire, 
possess, stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. 
? It entered into force recently in 2020. 
 
India’s role in global nuclear disarmament  
India has always been an ardent supporter of multilateral nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. 
 
10                                                                                                                                                        
 
Conference on Disarmament (CD) 
• It was formed in 1979 as the single multilateral disarmament negotiation forum of the international community, 
after agreement was reached among Member States during the first special session of the UN General Assembly 
(UNGA) devoted to disarmament (1978). 
• Since the conclusion of the negotiation of the CTBT in 1996, the CD remains deadlocked and has not been able to 
reach consensus on a programme of work and thus to commence substantive deliberations. 
India’s nuclear doctrine 
• Building and maintaining a credible minimum deterrent. 
• A posture of "No First Use". Nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on India.  
• Nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage. 
• Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states. 
• Continued commitment to the goal of a nuclear weapon free world, through global, verifiable and non-discriminatory 
nuclear disarmament. 
*To know more about India’s Nuclear Doctrine, kindly refer to our Weekly Focus document- “India’s Nuclear Doctrine.” 
 
What are the challenges associated with global Nuclear Disarmament?  
• Modernisation of nuclear weapons: There has been considerable effort at modernizing nuclear inventories 
among several nuclear weapon states. 
? For example, U.S. efforts at deploying new low-yield warheads on its nuclear-powered ballistic missile 
submarines (SSBNs) are a case in point. 
• Lack of Consensus among major powers: US has eliminated key nuclear agreements such as the 
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) 
further brought considerable strain on the bilateral relationship between major nuclear powers, USA and 
Russia, and also on global nuclear order. 
? Also, US withdrawal from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal pushed Iran towards 
Uranium enrichment programs. 
 
11                                                                                                                                                        
• China’s expansionist nuclear policy: China’s rejection to join multilateral discussions on a possible post-INF 
mechanism and the worsening of relations of the West with China and Russia, as well as the growing 
adversarial nature of relations between India, Pakistan, and China will likely mean that the pace of nuclear 
modernization and expansion will continue. 
• Impact of COVID Pandemic: Worsened China-US bilateral ties, fueled by COVID tensions, coupled with the 
erosion of global nuclear governance have stirred a nuclear populism in China that calls for a dramatic 
increase in its nuclear stockpile.  
• Nuclear Activism in Indo-Pacific region: It is difficult to uphold the policy of nuclear disarmament with 
global power shift to Indo-Pacific region and when the Quad is lobbying to counter Chinese expansionism in 
this region.  
What can be done to reignite nuclear disarmament?  
To eliminate nuclear weapons, the international community may take the following steps: 
• Major role by major nuclear powers: The nuclear-weapon States possessing the largest nuclear arsenals 
bear special responsibility for nuclear disarmament. They should continue to reduce drastically their 
respective nuclear arsenals on the principle of irreversibility. 
• Renunciation of Nuclear deterrence policy: All the nuclear-weapon States should renounce the nuclear 
deterrence policy based on the first use of nuclear weapons, undertake unconditionally not to be the first to 
use nuclear weapons and conclude an international legal instrument to such effect. 
? Also, there should be no use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear-weapon-
free zones, and a relevant international legal instrument should be concluded. 
• Creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones: All the nuclear-weapon States should support the efforts to 
establish nuclear-weapon-free zones, respect the status of those zones and assume the relevant obligations. 
• Denuclearization: Based on the above-mentioned efforts, a convention on the complete prohibition of 
nuclear weapons could be negotiated. 
2.2. INDIA’S CIVIL 
NUCLEAR ENERGY 
COOPERATION 
Why in news? 
Recently, Russian nuclear major 
Rosatom began construction of 
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant 
(NPP) Unit 5 in India in cooperation 
with Nuclear Power Corporation of 
India Ltd (NPCIL), a PSU under the 
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). 
About India’s Nuclear Energy 
Architecture  
• At present, India has civil nuclear 
agreements with 14 countries, 
namely Argentina, Australia, 
Canada, Czech Republic, France, 
Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, 
Namibia, Russia, South Korea, 
United Kingdom, US and Vietnam.  
• This, is despite India not being a 
signatory to the Non-Proliferation 
Treaty and operating outside the 
ambit of the Nuclear Suppliers 
Group.  
 
12                                                                                                                                                        
 
• A central tenet of these agreements is the focus on the peaceful purposes of nuclear power which entails 
the use of information, nuclear material, equipment, or components in such fields as research, power 
generation, medicine, agriculture, and industry. 
• India has observed a self-moratorium on conducting nuclear tests after the second round of Pokhran in 
1998 and has abided by the principles of the NPT far better than even some of its signatories.  
• India has a 3-stage nuclear energy program which is based on a closed nuclear fuel cycle-  
o Stage-I: Natural uranium fuelled Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).  
o Stage-II: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) utilising plutonium-based fuel. 
o Stage-III: Advanced nuclear power systems for utilisation of thorium.  
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) 
• It was established in 1974 as a result of successful nuclear test conducted by India (Operation Smiling Buddha or 
Pokhran-I). 
• It is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seeks to contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons 
through the implementation of guidelines for nuclear exports and nuclear-related exports. 
• India is not a member of this group. 
What is the need for engaging in Nuclear Energy Cooperation?  
• Sustainable harnessing of energy: Nuclear energy cooperation is needed for long-term planning and 
collaboration on innovations in reactors, fuel cycles and institutional approaches that will promote the 
sustainable development of nuclear energy. 
 
13                                                                                                                                                        
• Expertise sharing: Such cooperation provides necessary assistance including information, knowledge, 
financing, human resource development, nuclear infrastructure development, and a feasible technical 
solution for managing and disposing of spent fuel and high-level waste. 
• Energy Potential: India depends on importing nuclear fuel as raw material for running its nuclear reactors. 
o Over two-thirds of the world's production of uranium from mines is from Kazakhstan, Canada and 
Australia. 
• Clean Energy: In an energy-starved world, the potential of nuclear energy to be an important and cleaner 
option in India’s energy 
basket must be 
recognised. 
o India currently runs 
22 nuclear reactors 
with an operational 
capacity of 6,780 MW 
which is just 1.97 
percent of India’s 
total capacity.  
• Ensuring Safety: 
Partnership of countries 
ensures that new nuclear 
energy initiatives meet 
the highest standards of 
safety, security and non-
proliferation. 
o For example, 
International 
Framework for 
Nuclear Energy 
Cooperation (IFNEC) 
aims to accelerate 
the development and 
deployment of 
advanced nuclear fuel 
cycle technologies 
while providing 
greater disincentives 
to the proliferation of 
nuclear weapons. 
What are the challenges associated with India’s civil nuclear engagements?  
• Global Challenges: A key challenge to India’s civil nuclear engagements with other countries is its status as a 
non-signatory to the NPT.  
o Key barriers to India’s acceptance within the global non-proliferation regime have been India’s nuclear 
weapons program, and its strained relationship with its neighbor Pakistan (which is similarly a nuclear 
weapons state). 
o China has expressed its strong opposition to India’s inclusion in NSG since India has not signed the NPT 
Treaty. 
• Domestic Challenges: Concerns regarding nuclear safety have also led to protests in the domestic front. 
o Concerns such as diversion of water to the plants, environmental degradation, land acquisition, as well 
as issues of rehabilitation have led to protests. For example, the Jaitapur power plant in the state of 
Maharashtra was opposed on the grounds that it would destroy some 938 hectares of eco-sensitive 
land. 
• Issues related to Nuclear Liability: In wake of lack of adequate compensation for the victims of the Bhopal 
tragedy, the issue of nuclear liabilities continues to be a challenge for India in its further engagements with 
other countries for civil nuclear trade.