The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an international treaty that serves as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. It was negotiated between 1965 and 1968 by the Eighteen Nation Committee on Disarmament and was opened for signature on July 1, 1968, entering into force on March 5, 1970. The treaty was created to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, addressing the Cold War-era concern that many more states would acquire nuclear weapons.
The NPT is often described as resting on three mutually reinforcing pillars:
- Non-Proliferation: Under Article I, the five Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS)—those who exploded a nuclear device before January 1, 1967—agree not to transfer nuclear weapons or technology to any recipient. Under Article II, Non-Nuclear-Weapon States (NNWS) agree not to acquire or manufacture nuclear weapons.
- Disarmament: Article VI obligates all parties, particularly the NWS, to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to nuclear disarmament.
- Peaceful Use: Article IV affirms the inalienable right of all parties to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and to benefit from international cooperation in this area.
The mechanism for verifying compliance is the safeguards system of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which NNWS must accept under Article III to ensure nuclear material is not diverted to weapons programs. The NPT is connected to the IAEA Additional Protocol and the export controls of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which further strengthen the non-proliferation regime. Originally set for a 25-year term, the treaty was extended indefinitely on May 11, 1995. The core articles and structure remain unchanged, but its operation is reviewed every five years at Review Conferences, with the 11th Review Conference scheduled for April 27 to May 22, 2026. India, which views the NPT as discriminatory because it legitimizes only the five NWS, remains a non-party, along with Israel, Pakistan, and South Sudan.