Explain Non Proliferation Treaty

The treaty which regulates and limits the use of nuclear weapons is known as Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), signed in 1968. The NPT lays down the legal structure and keeps a check and balance on the States who have ratified the treaty. The treaty identifies the legal corridors through which states regulate and maintain the distribution and use of nuclear energy. There are five States recognized by the NPT as nuclear weapon States (NWS): France, People's Republic of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. These five States are also member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). These five NWS agree not to transfer "nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices" and "not in any way to assist, encourage, or induce" a non-nuclear weapon state (NNWS) to acquire nuclear weapons under Article 1 of NPT. Article 2 states that the NNWS parties to the NPT are under an obligation not to "receive," "manufacture" or "acquire" nuclear weapons or to "seek or receive any assistance in the manufacture of nuclear weapons". The main purpose of NPT as mentioned in the preamble indicates the aversion of nuclear war and to reduce it. Further in order to maintain peace and security, nuclear disarmament is required to be done.