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General Studies Paper – II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations
Context
The end of the 'New START' treaty, the last major link in controlling the nuclear arms race, is a serious warning for global peace and a signal of the need for a new balance of power. This development could push the world back into that era of unlimited nuclear competition which was left behind after the Cold War.
What is “START”?
The 'Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty' (START) was a historic agreement between the U.S. and Russia (then the Soviet Union) to reduce the number of strategic nuclear weapons.
- Its objective was to limit the number of nuclear warheads and the missiles/bombers carrying them to a certain limit (1,550 deployed warheads).
- It was the first effective treaty focused on 'destroying' and reducing weapons rather than merely 'freezing' them.
Reasons for Discussion
- Expiration of the Treaty: The 'New START' treaty expired on February 5, 2026, after completing its 15-year term.
- The China Factor: U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance is that it is mandatory to include China in any future treaty, as China is rapidly increasing its nuclear stockpile.
- Global Fragmentation: The lack of mutual trust between superpowers due to the Russia-Ukraine war and changing geopolitics has stalled the renewal of this treaty.
Impact
- A New Arms Race: In the absence of the treaty, the U.S. and Russia will now be free to deploy an unlimited number of nuclear weapons.
- End of Monitoring: Mutual 'on-site' inspections conducted under the treaty will stop, ending transparency and increasing the risk of misunderstanding.
- Threat to NPT and CTBT: The collapse of this treaty will directly affect other global frameworks like the 'Non-Proliferation Treaty' (NPT), making it difficult to stop nuclear proliferation.
- Atmosphere of Insecurity: The race to increase arsenals by China, North Korea, and other countries may accelerate further.
Conclusion
The end of New START is not merely the termination of a treaty, but an opportunity to restart discussions on nuclear disarmament on equal and fair terms. For future security, it is essential that new treaties are formed that hold accountable not only the U.S. and Russia but also emerging nuclear powers like China, so that this threat looming over human existence can be averted.
General Studies Paper – II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations