India’s Chequered Relationship with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty: Examining Cross-Linked Concerns over Nuclear Disarmament and National Security

Abstract

In 1994, India enthusiastically supported the United Nations process for negotiating the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). It expected the treaty would ban all types of nuclear testing and pave the way for nuclear disarmament. The final treaty negotiated in 1996 did not commit itself to this goal of disarmament and India ultimately rejected it. However, behind this rejection also lies the story of India’s deteriorating national security outlook and decision-makers’ keen desire to avoid their country being subjected to a discriminatory nonproliferation regime enacted by the nuclear weapon states. The key questions guiding the query on (CTBT) are: What were the reasons behind India’s initial support of the CTBT in 1993? And what transpired between 1994 and 1996 that led India to change its stand?