India
Nuclear-armed state
Possesses 180 nuclear weapons
Has not yet joined the TPNW
Status
India has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
National position
India has consistently voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.
In 2023, India noted that “it did not participate in the negotiations on the TPNW, therefore will not become a party to the treaty, and shall not be bound by any of the obligations that arise from it”. It added that, in its view, the treaty “does not constitute or contribute to the development of any customary international law”.
A message projected onto the UN headquarters in New York in 2022 calls on India to join the TPNW. Photo: ICAN
Nuclear-weapon programme
India possesses approximately 164 nuclear weapons, which it can launch from missiles and, most likely, aircraft. It may also be able to launch them from submarines. India conducted a total of three nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998.
In 2022, India spent an estimated US$2.7 billion to build and maintain its nuclear forces.
TPNW negotiations
India did not participate in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and thus did not vote on its adoption.
In 2016, India abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.
ICAN campaigners criticise the decision of nuclear-armed states, including India, to boycott the TPNW negotiations in 2017. Photo: ICAN
Further information
Nuclear-armed state
Possesses 180 nuclear weapons
Has not yet joined the TPNW
[HIGHLIGHTS]
Status
India has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
National position
India has consistently voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.
In 2023, India noted that “it did not participate in the negotiations on the TPNW, therefore will not become a party to the treaty, and shall not be bound by any of the obligations that arise from it”. It added that, in its view, the treaty “does not constitute or contribute to the development of any customary international law”.
A message projected onto the UN headquarters in New York in 2022 calls on India to join the TPNW. Photo: ICAN
Nuclear-weapon programme
India possesses approximately 164 nuclear weapons, which it can launch from missiles and, most likely, aircraft. It may also be able to launch them from submarines. India conducted a total of three nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998.
In 2022, India spent an estimated US$2.7 billion to build and maintain its nuclear forces.
TPNW negotiations
India did not participate in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and thus did not vote on its adoption.
In 2016, India abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.
ICAN campaigners criticise the decision of nuclear-armed states, including India, to boycott the TPNW negotiations in 2017. Photo: ICAN
Further information
[PARTNERS]
Indian Doctors for Peace and Development
Indian Institute for Peace, Disarmament and Environmental Protection
Popular Education and Action Centre
South Asian Democratic Union
NADAM FOUNDATION
Poovulagin Nanbargal
Youth for Peace International
Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP)
[LOCALSUPPORT]
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Indian Doctors for Peace and Development
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Indian Institute for Peace, Disarmament and Environmental Protection
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Popular Education and Action Centre
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South Asian Democratic Union
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NADAM FOUNDATION
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Poovulagin Nanbargal
-
Youth for Peace International
-
Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP)