Context:
The New START Treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, is set to expire, raising concerns about a renewed nuclear arms race and global instability.
Key Highlights:
- Treaty Expiration
- The New START Treaty caps strategic nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia.
- Its expiration could remove limits on nuclear warheads and delivery systems.
- Diplomatic Developments
- Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to extend the treaty for one year.
- U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested involving China in arms control talks.
- China’s Position
- China has resisted joining negotiations, citing its much smaller nuclear arsenal compared to the U.S. and Russia.
- Global Security Concerns
- Experts warn that the treaty’s expiration may trigger:
- A renewed nuclear arms race
- Increased geopolitical instability
- Higher risks of nuclear conflict
Relevant Prelims Points:
- New START Treaty
- Signed in 2010 between the United States and Russia.
- Limits deployed strategic nuclear warheads and launch systems.
- Strategic Nuclear Weapons
- Long-range nuclear weapons capable of striking intercontinental targets.
- Arms Control Treaty
- Agreement between countries to limit the development, production, or deployment of weapons.
- Nuclear Deterrence
- Strategy where the threat of nuclear retaliation prevents attacks.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Importance of Arms Control Treaties
- Reduce risk of nuclear war and strategic instability.
- Build confidence and transparency between rival states.
- Prevent costly arms races.
- Implications of Treaty Collapse
- Possible unrestricted expansion of nuclear arsenals.
- Increase in military tensions between major powers.
- Weakening of global nuclear non-proliferation framework.
- Emerging Geopolitical Dynamics
- Rise of China as a nuclear power complicates traditional bilateral arms control mechanisms.
- Growing multipolar nuclear competition.
- Way Forward
- Renew negotiations for multilateral arms control frameworks.
- Encourage confidence-building measures among nuclear powers.
- Strengthen international institutions supporting nuclear non-proliferation.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS Paper II: Global governance and international relations.
- GS Paper III: Nuclear security and strategic deterrence.