Current News on CTBT

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty ( CTBT ) was initiated and opened to the countries on the international grounds on September 10, 1996 which has had 185 signatories till date.

The aim through the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was to create a document and a rule of order where no country conducts nuclear weapon testing or explodes their nuclear weapons on other countries in the name of war. 

This would make sure that there is peace, stability and an environment of no nuclear harm to countries on globe, military and civilians living in a significant Country. 

Current Scenario of CTBT 

It’s been 25 years since the inspection of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as an ideal document but then getting all the countries accommodated on it seems to be a tough day at work. 

Till the current times 185 countries have signed up for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and agreed on its clauses and been on the understanding of what the document has to say. But then there are 168 countries who have validated the existence of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty with a formal consent but never really signed it. 

Countries like the Republic of India, Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea which is also known as North Korea have not signed the CTBT Document. 

India’s Stance on CTBT 

India being an independent country since 1947 hasn’t ratified the document of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty which was proposed in the year 1996. In the starting period the Indian Republic showed interest and participated in the forums of discussions related to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty framework but then chose to walk out as it didn’t favour the Indian interests and also declined to not sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. 

It was not until recently that being an observer would provide India with many perks and allow the country to have a closer look over the treaty than ever before. India shall have a granted access to the information containing the clauses of the treaty and can witness the modifications ( if made any ). Not only this the International Monitoring System would validate the authenticity of the information and provide the most privileged inputs on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. 

For what it is worth, India views the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as an outlook which discriminates or differentiates between the privileged countries or what they’re popularly called ‘ the nuclear states ‘ which are – United States of America, United Kingdom, People’s Republic of China, French Republic and The Russian Federation. 

India also adds that the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as an organisation doesn’t not include the Indian arguments over the need of hour and hence India fails to support the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. 

Recently in Vienna, Austria the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation invited India as an independent observer which India never seemed to favour as they concerned a sense of favour to the Permanent five members who are also the nuclear powers on globe. In May, the executive secretary of Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation, Lassino Zerbo said that CTBTO for the sake of collective good and foundation understands where India comes from and shall try it’s best to accommodate the Indian notions and validate the same and aim to gain India’s trust on the CTBTO. 

Why do we need a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty ? 

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is a total need of hour and is a step to development in the way of controlling the use and managing the nuclear power. 

The need of Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is vital is for the following reasons –

1. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty will improve the designs and the current scenario of nuclear power.

2. If ever the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty comes into a legal force it would be a tool which would prohibit the use of Nuclear weapons and the testing of nuclear power weapons.

3. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty would be a guardian angel to civilians and militants of a nation as there no severe harm would be caused if nuclear power is off limits.

4. The treaty would also make sure that there is no mental trauma or episodes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) psychologically to civilians.

5. With the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in action there won’t be much human suffering and lack of human lives in the name of war.

6. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty would not only save lives of the human beings but also help the environment from getting contaminated from the nuclear particles which are threatening to the environment as well as to humans as well. 

Conclusion 

In the current scenario of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty it is still in hold as there are still many countries who are left to sign it. Though the purpose behind it is with a good will and an initiative to stop testing and the usage of nuclear power, the document is still on its ratification. India on other hand has declined to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty but recently in Vienna the country has asked to be an observer and a participant for the discussion.