Nuclear Arms Control in India and the ABM Treaty essays

Nuclear Arms Control in India and the ABM Treaty essays 1. There would be several advantages for the Government of India by adhering to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). For instance, adhering would ease international pressures spearheaded by the United States, Great Britain, and France. As India is just starting to become a nuclear power of its own, the already nuclear powers that be want to use India as an example to the rest of the world. As more countries become nuclear, they should sign the CTBT and follow the footsteps of the rest of the world powers. Another advantage of adhering to the CTBT is that Pakistan will also sign if India signs. (N.B. with the stipulation that the US ratifies the treaty) If Pakistan adheres; it will be easier for the Indian government to use information obtained by national means of verification in a manner consistent with generally recognized principles of international law, including that of respect for the sovereignty of States. (CTBT Article IV #5) This means that India will be ab le to see how much Pakistan is adhering to the stipulations of CTBT. There are however, several disadvantages of adhering to the CTBT. For instance, if India does not adhere, the government keeps on testing; Pakistan would match test for test. Both countries have been at odds with each other for a while. When India tested a nuclear explosion, Pakistan answered immediately with a test of their own. If India does not adhere they would be put in a costly and possibly deadly arms race with the Pakistani government. Defense spending would increase drastically on both sides. The Pakistani economy is not as strong as the Indian, which means that Pakistan will be the first to declare bankruptcy. A failed economy with an internal government in turmoil could heighten the chance of a Taleban-like group to seize power in Pakistan. If a radical group with a hatred of the Indian government ...