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Abstract
This article provides a comparative perspective on India’s and Pakistan’s positions towards the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in the mid-1990s. It highlights India’s refusal to sign the NPT due to its discriminatory nature, contrasting with Pakistan’s conditional openness tied to India’s participation. The analysis situates these stances within broader security concerns, regional rivalries, and global non-proliferation regimes. It explores the diplomatic maneuvers, pressures from nuclear powers, and domestic politics shaping both countries’ policies. Ultimately, the paper underscores the difficulties of imposing universal non-proliferation norms in regions with unresolved conflicts and asymmetrical security perceptions.
Full Text
The body begins with the origins of the NPT and its significance in the Cold War context. Section One details India’s rationale for opposing the treaty, emphasizing sovereignty, security, and its vision of global disarmament. Section Two analyzes Pakistan’s strategy of linking its decision to India’s, reflecting asymmetrical deterrence and the fear of strategic imbalance. Section Three evaluates international pressures, including US sanctions, European diplomacy, and China’s role. Section Four explores regional implications: arms racing, the credibility of South Asia’s nuclear restraint, and prospects for confidence-building measures. The conclusion argues that without progress on disarmament and regional dispute resolution, the NPT’s legitimacy in South Asia will remain contested.