Q14 of 29 Page 1

Why did India oppose the indefinite extension of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1995?

India opposes the indefinite extension of Non Proliferation Treaty because India considered the NPT as discriminatory policy to argue it to be used for peaceful purposes only. The spirit of the NPT creates a divide, between countries that did develop nuclear power before 1967 and those that did not develop nuclear power before 1967. It only gives the 'Permanent 5' the right to hold weapons. Although it permits the use of nuclear energy for constructive purposes, it puts all the other nations at risk. India, despite being a nuclear weapons state, would have had to sign the treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state, and in addition has to undergo inspections. The NPT, in India's opinion does not explain the need for this distinction and loss of national sovereignty. India did however; sign the "no first use" treaty (which later changed to the no first use against non-nuclear weapon states) in 2010.


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