Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

The 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty prohibits nuclear weapons tests or any other nuclear explosions in the atmosphere, outer space, and under water.

Background

In the early years of the Cold War arms race, the United States and Soviet Union conducted increasingly powerful nuclear tests in the atmosphere and underwater. The radioactive fallout circled the globe, contaminating food and water supplies. There were increasing concerns about the environmental and health impacts, including higher risks of cancer and birth defects.

Efforts began in the mid-1950s for an international agreement to halt open-air testing. After several years of failed negotiations and continued testing by both superpowers, the United States, Soviet Union and United Kingdom finally signed the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on August 5th, 1963 after agreeing on verification measures.

Key Components

The main components of the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty are:

• Prohibition of nuclear weapons tests and any nuclear explosions in the atmosphere, underwater or in outer space
• Allowance for underground nuclear tests as verification measures made intrusive verification of atmospheric/underwater tests difficult
• Commitment for further progress on complete cessation of nuclear testing

The Treaty helped reduce radioactive fallout as nuclear powers shifted tests underground. However, it fell short of a comprehensive ban as countries continued explosive underground tests until the 1990s. France and China did not sign the Treaty either and continued atmospheric testing for a few years after 1963.

Evolution of the Treaty

Since 1963, over 100 nations have joined the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Atmospheric testing decreased rapidly as the Treaty was largely respected through the late 1960s and 1970s by the major nuclear powers and signatories. However, France and China continued some atmospheric tests until 1974 and 1980 respectively.

In 1990s, the United States and Soviet Union agreed to verification measures for underground tests and finally signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1996. However, this treaty banning all explosive nuclear testing is yet to enter into legal force. Nonetheless, nuclear testing significantly decreased through the second half of the 20th century.

India and Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

India refused to sign the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and continued its first ‘peaceful nuclear explosion’ tests in 1974. India opposed the Treaty’s allowance for underground nuclear testing, which discriminate against non-nuclear states lacking advanced technology. As a leader of the non-aligned movement, India also objected to the PTBT as it sought to restrict development of nuclear weapons by other states while protecting the dominance of nuclear superpowers – USA, UK and the Soviet Union. Despite objections, India has maintained a voluntary moratorium on further nuclear explosive testing since 1998.