P5 of UNSC Pledge to stop spread of nuclear weapons

• Recently, the P-5 of UNSC members (China, France, Russia, the U.K. and US) pledged to prevent atomic weapons spreading.
• They also vowed to avoid nuclear conflict in future.
• Pledge was made in a rare joint statement before review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) 1970.

Background

• Statement is issued amidst tensions between Russia and US escalating to great heights over a troop build-up by Russia close to the Ukrainian border.
• Also issued in times when world powers seek to reach agreement with Iran on reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) 2015 over its controversial nuclear drive, which was rendered dying by the US walking out of the accord in 2018.

Key points of the pledge:

• Further spread of such weapons must be prevented. A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.
• Avoidance of war between nuclear-weapon states and the reduction of strategic risks is our foremost responsibility.
• Nuclear weapons, for as long as they continue to exist, should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war.
• Intention to maintain and further strengthen their national measures to prevent unauthorised or unintended use of nuclear weapons.

China’s concerns:

• Tensions with US could lead to conflict, notably over the island of Taiwan.
• China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.

Russia’s Stand:

• Russia welcomed the declaration by the atomic powers and expressed hope that it would reduce global tensions.

UNSC

• Has the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and may meet whenever peace is threatened.
• Only the Security Council has the power to make decisions that member states are obligated to implement under the Charter.
• Headquarter: NewYork.
• Members: 15 members (5 permanent + 10 non-permanent).
• P5: China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, and United States.
• Non-permanent members: Elected for 2-year terms by General Assembly.

India demanding seat as a Permanent Member:

• Veto Power: Exclusive domain of P5 members. India could use veto power to defend its interests, say against Pakistan (just like Russia did last year over the civil war in Ukraine).
• Prestige: The sheer prestige associated with permanent membership of a multilateral forum. India’s elevation will also be an acknowledgment of its rise as a global power, ready to play a key role in the council’s objectives of international peace and security.
• Advantages in General Assembly: As a permanent member, India could take benefits of the type of majority required to pass a resolution, requirement of approval of the United Nations Security Council etc.

NPT

• A multilateral treaty aimed at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons including three elements:

1. Non-proliferation,
2. Disarmament, and
3. Peaceful use of nuclear energy.

• Signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970.
• Presently, it has 191 member states.
• Implications:
• States without nuclear weapons will not acquire them.
• States with nuclear weapons will pursue disarmament.
• All states can access nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, under safeguards.
• Provisions:
• Definition of nuclear weapon states (NWS) : Countries that had manufactured and detonated a nuclear explosive device prior to 1 January 1967.
• All the other states are considered non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS).
• 5 nuclear weapon states are China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States.
• Does not affect the right of state parties to develop, produce, and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
• Nuclear weapon states cannot transfer to any recipient whatsoever nuclear weapons and not to assist, encourage, or induce any NNWS to manufacture or otherwise acquire them.
• NNWS must accept the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards on all nuclear materials on their territories or under their control.

Way forward

• International community should work upon the peaceful usage of nuclear energy that holds a lot of scope to ensure energy security in world.
• As Einstein correctly said "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones".
• If a nuclear war is fought among the powers, then the above statement will definitely come true.
• More powers in the world should enter into an arrangement of establishing Nuclear-weapon-free zones.
• Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons can be signed to ensure nuclear disarmament.