Question

Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty refers to:

• A. Peaceful use of nuclear energy
• B. Spread of nuclear weapons
• C. Development of nuclear fusion
• D. Reduction of nuclear weapons stockpiles

Hint:

Remember that India refused to sign the NPT on the grounds that it was highly discriminatory. It banned non-nuclear countries from acquiring weapons while allowing the five existing nuclear states to keep theirs, failing to mandate a binding reduction of their stockpiles.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Translating the Concept of Non-Proliferation:
In international relations, “proliferation” refers to the rapid spread or dispersion of something. Therefore, “non-proliferation” literally translates to stopping or preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and military nuclear technology to non-nuclear states.

Step 2: Analyzing the Legal Mechanisms of the NPT (1968):
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is built on a basic division:
• It forbids non-nuclear weapon states from acquiring, manufacturing, or otherwise developing nuclear weapons (directly regulating the spread of nuclear weapons).
• It restricts the transfer of nuclear technology or weapons from the five recognized nuclear weapon states (the USA, USSR, UK, France, and China) to non-nuclear weapon states. Therefore, the treaty directly seeks to prevent the global spread of nuclear weapons, matching Option (B).

Step 3: Evaluating other Options:
While the NPT includes provisions for the peaceful use of nuclear energy (Option A) and complete disarmament (Option D), its core regulatory mechanism and title focus on preventing the spread of weapons. Thus, (B) is the most accurate answer.