Resumption of nuclear testing by major powers signal the demise of the ill-fated Comprehensive nuclear Test Ban Treaty, marking the beginnings of a new nuclear arms race. Analyse (200 Words)
Refer - The Hindu
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 5 years
KEY POINTS
The U.S. report also claims that Russia has conducted nuclear weapons experiments that produced a nuclear yield and were inconsistent with ‘zero yield’ understanding underlying the CTBT, though it was uncertain about how many such experiments had been conducted.
What does CTBT ban mean?
· For decades, a ban on nuclear testing was seen as the necessary first step towards curbing the nuclear arms race but Cold War politics made it impossible. A Partial Test Ban Treaty was concluded in 1963 banning underwater and atmospheric tests but this only drove testing underground.
· France and China continued testing, claiming that they had conducted far fewer tests and needed to validate new designs since the CTBT did not imply an end to nuclear deterrence.
Why it lacks authority
· After India’s proposals for anchoring the CTBT in a disarmament framework did not find acceptance, in June 1996, India announced its decision to withdraw from the negotiations.
· Russia and China have been concerned about the U.S.’s growing technological lead particularly in missile defence and conventional global precision-strike capabilities.
· Russia has responded by exploring hypersonic delivery systems and theatre systems while China has embarked on a modernisation programme to enhance the survivability of its arsenal which is considerably smaller. In addition, both countries are also investing heavily in offensive cyber capabilities.
· The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) limits U.S. and Russian arsenals but will expire in 2021 and U.S. President has already indicated that he does not plan to extend it.
Current context
· The Cold War rivalry was already visible when the nuclear arms race began in the 1950s. New rivalries have already emerged. Resumption of nuclear testing may signal the demise of the ill-fated CTBT, marking the beginnings of a new nuclear arms race.
RABINSON 5 years
Nuclear arm race is a race to get supremacy in the nuclear weapon strength which was happened between the United States of America and Soviet Russia during cold war.
CTBT(Comprehensive Testing Ban Treaty) is a negotiation signed by many nations to stop nuclear weapon building.
In recent times the rivalries of the second world war are getting ready to start the Tests again for many reasons which includes political,economical disputes.
The corona virus pandemic has also made the US and Russia-China to have a serious look into the Nuclear Testing.
United States already decided not to continue CTBT and New START after 2021 which maybe an alarm to Russia and China.
India is having a good policy over this as India will never use nuclear weapon first which is a reasonable thing to do because of it's geographic location .
Having nuclear weapons is needed for every country to protect their people but the tests should be limited and reasonable.
Already US and Russia holds 90% of world's nuclear wealth.
Being already rich in nuclear weapon but still test more is just to get the supremacy more and more which is greedy.
Humanity already facing extreme situations in the environment and economy.
If the nuclear arm race starts very seriously it will make effects which will never be reversed by humans.
Hence as a responsible nation every country should reduce ammunition with nuclear weapons and start using them as a useful resource for the betterment of humanity.
IAS Parliament 5 years
Good attempt. Keep Writing.
