Global Nuclear Order (GNO) : 4 Jan, 2023

Background:

• Emerged during the Cold War era, led by the US and USSR.
• Post-1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, recognized the need for bilateral mechanisms to prevent nuclear escalation and agreed on the dangers of nuclear proliferation.
• Initiated multilateral negotiations in Geneva (1965) leading to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1968, now with 191 parties.

India’s Position:

• India did not sign the NPT and conducted a peaceful nuclear explosive test in 1974.
• The London Club, formed by seven countries including the US and USSR, aimed to control nuclear technology transfer, later evolving into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) with 48 members.

Performance of GNO:

• Nuclear Taboo: No use of nuclear weapons since 1945, marking 75 years without nuclear war.
• Non-Proliferation Success: Despite predictions, only four additional countries (India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan) acquired nuclear capabilities beyond the original five (US, USSR, UK, France, China).
• Strategic Stability: Assured second-strike capabilities of the US and Russia prevented first-strike incentives, ensuring deterrence stability. Arms control negotiations led to parity and crisis management stability.
• Denuclearization: Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, former Soviet states with nuclear capabilities, were denuclearized.
• NPT Extension: In 1995, the NPT was extended indefinitely.
• US Role: The US intervened to prevent Taiwan and South Korea from developing nuclear programs.
• Limitations: Despite arms control, the US and USSR nuclear arsenals expanded significantly during the 1960s-1980s.

Why in News:

• Global Nuclear Order (GNO) has performed well in decades so far however it is now facing some challenges.