Question

Which of the following treaty was rejected by India as discriminatory as it prevented only non-nuclear countries from acquiring nuclear weapons?

• A. Intermediate Range Nuclear Force Treaty
• B. Non-Proliferation Treaty
• C. Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
• D. Strategic Offensive Reduction Treaty

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The treaty that was rejected by India as discriminatory because it prevented only non-nuclear countries from acquiring nuclear weapons is the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The NPT is an international agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, promoting disarmament, and facilitating the peaceful use of nuclear energy. However, India considered the treaty to be biased against non-nuclear states, as it distinguished between nuclear and non-nuclear countries, effectively denying the latter the ability to develop nuclear weapons while allowing the five nuclear-armed states at the time of the treaty's signing (the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, France, and China) to retain their arsenals indefinitely. 

Answer 2

The treaty rejected by India as discriminatory for preventing only non-nuclear countries from acquiring nuclear weapons was the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Additional Context:

• India refused to sign the NPT (1968) as it created nuclear "haves" and "have-nots"
• Opposed the treaty's indefinite extension in 1995
• Conducted peaceful nuclear explosion in 1974 ("Smiling Buddha")
• Became nuclear weapons state in 1998 (Pokhran-II tests)
• Later got NSG waiver (2008) for civil nuclear cooperation despite being outside NPT

Correct Answer: (2) Non Proliferation Treaty