The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) has offered India an “Observer” status and access to International Monitoring System (IMS) data.

Addressing a group of Indian journalists at CTBTO headquarters in Vienna, executive secretary Lassina Zerbo said, “I am not asking India to ratify (the treaty). I know that is not possible now. But, I think giving India the opportunity to join as an observer could be a good starting point.”

He has also invited India to attend a science and technology conference scheduled between June 24 and 28 in Vienna. The conference will bring together around 1,000 scientists, technologists, academics and CTBTO policy-makers. 

What is CTBT?

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a global treaty with the objective of banning all nuclear explosions across the world. In 1996, it was opened for signature after being adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Although 184 countries have signed the treaty so far, it is yet to come into force because eight countries with nuclear capabilities — including India — are yet to sign and ratify it.

CTBTO is also making contributions to the nuclear safety field. After the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, CTBTO data provided timely information on the radioactive emissions from the crippled plant and their global dispersion.

Why India has not signed CTBT?

India has claimed that the CTBT is discriminatory because it favours “five nuclear weapon states” — the US, the UK, China, France and Russia — when it comes to fulfilling obligations for eliminating nuclear weapons. Instead, it wanted the CTBT to have a clause on complete nuclear disarmament in a time-bound manner because there are technological differences between the ‘have’ and ‘have not’ countries. India was concerned about the likelihood of those already possessing nuclear weapons upgrading their arsenals through sub-critical and laboratory simulated testing.

Which other countries have not ratified it?

Although US and China have signed the treaty but they are yet to ratify it. Pakistan and North Korea have also not signed the treaty as yet. Zerbo pointed out that China has agreed to set up five IMS stations on its soil. Pakistan, he said, has joined the organisation as an ‘Observer’.

What is the purpose of IMS?

The International Monitoring System (IMS) is a worldwide network of monitoring stations that will help to verify compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) by detecting events that might indicate violations of the Treaty.

The IMS consist of 337 monitoring facilities. It will be complemented by an intrusive on-site inspection regime applicable once the Treaty has entered into force. The CTBTO experts are confident that their system can aid in the detection and identification of nuclear explosions anywhere on the planet.

“This system can detect even small nuclear explosions using seismology, hydro-acoustics, infrasound and radionuclide technologies. Nowhere can you get this quality of data necessary for earthquake monitoring. The IMS also helps warn of tsunamis and volcanic ash, and identifies plane crash sites,” said Zerbo.