80 Years After Hiroshima: Nuclear Norms Today

Eighty Years After Hiroshima: Revisiting Nuclear Norms

Syllabus:

GS Paper – 1 Mineral & Energy Resources

GS Paper – 3 Nuclear Technology

Why in the News?

August 6, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, reigniting global discussions on nuclear disarmament, proliferation, and the norm of non-use of nuclear weapons amid rising tensions and nuclear modernization.

Historical Legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

• On August 6, 1945, a nuclear bomb exploded over Hiroshima, instantly killing over 70,000 people; another 70,000 died from radiation poisoning by year’s end. This Hiroshima bombing marked the first use of atomic weapons in warfare.
• A second bomb dropped on Nagasaki killed 40,000 instantly. The Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings brought a swift end to World War II in the Pacific theater.
• The Hibakusha (survivors of the bombings) emerged as powerful voices against nuclear weapons, forming the Nihon Hidankyo, a survivor-led movement. Their testimonies highlight the long-term effects of radiation exposure.
• Their testimonies were historically suppressed during U.S. occupation, delaying public understanding of radiation sickness and other health effects of atomic bomb damage.
• The 1954 Castle Bravo nuclear test led to the Fukuryu Maru incident, making radiation hazards widely known after its crew was exposed to fallout 86 miles away. This incident raised awareness about the dangers of nuclear fallout and long-range radiation effects.

Key Facts and Legal Provisions:

Evolution of Global Nuclear Arsenal and Testing

• After World War II, nuclear weapons spread from the U.S. to the Soviet Union, UK, France, and China. This marked the beginning of the nuclear arms race.
• India (1974) and Pakistan (1998) joined, followed by North Korea (2006)—now 9 nuclear states. The Manhattan Project during World War II led to the development of the first atomic bombs.
• Syria covertly pursued weapons before Israel’s 2007 airstrike halted its program. Iran remains under suspicion.
• From 1945–2019, 2,056 nuclear tests occurred—U.S. (1,030) and USSR/Russia (715) were primary contributors. These tests advanced nuclear fission technology and led to the development of more powerful weapons like the plutonium bomb.
• Post-1990s: Testing nearly ceased due to Partial Test Ban Treaty (1963) and global non-proliferation efforts.
• North Korea remains the only country conducting tests in the 21st century (6 tests between 2006–2017).

Modernization, Tactical Nukes, and Eroding Norms

• Total global stockpile shrunk from 60,000+ during the Cold War to 12,224 warheads in 2025.
• U.S. and Russia still hold ~90% of these.
• Meanwhile, China (~600), India (~150), Pakistan (~170), and North Korea (~50) are increasing their arsenals.
• Shift toward tactical, low-yield weapons increases chances of battlefield deployment.
• “Little Boy” (15 kilotons) was smaller than today’s multi-megaton Cold War weapons, but precision targeting now allows for smaller yet deadlier strikes.
• Rise in “usable nukes” threatens to blur psychological and ethical boundaries on nuclear warfare. This shift challenges the established norms of nuclear deterrence.

Legal Frameworks and Moral Norms Governing Nuclear Weapons

• The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) curbs weapon spread but does not ban usage.
• The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans tests but lacks full ratification.
• The 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is not signed by any nuclear-armed nation.
• The ICJ’s 1996 advisory opinion stated that the use or threat of nukes is generally contrary to international law, but no clear legal ban exists.
• The norm of non-use is moral and political, not legal—dependent on global consensus and restraint.
• Events like Russia’s nuclear threats over Ukraine and India’s stance during Operation Sindoor reveal the fragility of this norm.

Challenges to Global Security and Lessons from the Past

• The current geopolitical climate shows increasing nuclear brinkmanship and militarization of foreign policy.
• The “deterrence logic” still dominates defense planning, despite mounting ethical concerns.
• Global disarmament momentum is fading as nations modernize rather than eliminate arsenals.
• Recognition of Hibakusha with Nobel Peace Prize (2024) shows growing moral consensus, but real change remains elusive.
• The risk of miscalculation—as seen in Castle Bravo—still looms.
• A renewed commitment to education, diplomacy, and nuclear ethics is essential to preserve peace.

Challenges:

• Norm Erosion: Rising instances of nuclear threats by state actors challenge the psychological barrier of non-use.
• Modernization of Arsenals: Nations are investing in tactical, precision weapons, making limited-use nuclear war more likely.
• Legal Ambiguity: No binding global treaty prohibits nuclear weapon use outright.
• Disarmament Fatigue: Declining enthusiasm for disarmament in global institutions like the UN and IAEA.
• Non-signatories: Key nuclear powers have not signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (2017).
• Geopolitical Tensions: Conflicts like Russia–Ukraine and India–Pakistan elevate risks of escalation.
• Weak Verification: Lapses in nuclear inspections, particularly in North Korea and Iran, hamper trust.
• Public Apathy: Modern generations are less sensitized to Hiroshima/Nagasaki, undermining the moral argument.
• Technological Dual-use: Civilian nuclear tech can be repurposed for weapons, increasing proliferation risk.
• Weaponization of Doctrine: Integration of nuclear capability into conventional war strategies complicates global peace.

Way Forward:

• Reaffirm the Norm of Non-Use: States must publicly commit to maintaining the moral and strategic restraint around nuclear weapons.
• Strengthen Treaties: Push for universal ratification of the CTBT and progress toward NPT’s disarmament goals.
• Advance Global Dialogue: Revive talks on no-first-use policies and nuclear risk reduction across all regions.
• Revitalize Public Awareness: Integrate Hibakusha testimonies and historical lessons into global education systems.
• Empower Civil Society: Recognize and fund efforts by NGOs and survivor groups like Nihon Hidankyo.
• Legal Reforms: Work toward international legal frameworks that prohibit nuclear use, not just testing and proliferation.
• Nuclear-Free Zones: Promote more regional disarmament agreements, like the Treaty of Tlatelolco (Latin America).
• Technological Controls: Tighten oversight over dual-use technologies and reinforce IAEA’s role.
• India’s Role: As a responsible nuclear state, India can advocate for no first use, minimum deterrence, and confidence-building in South Asia.
• International Recognition: Continue to honor efforts like the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo to legitimize peace narratives.

Conclusion:

Eighty years after Hiroshima, the nuclear threat persists in new forms. While the stockpiles have shrunk, regional arms races, modernization, and blurred deterrence doctrines have strained the global commitment to non-use. Renewed global effort is needed to prevent nuclear weapons from being normalized, once again, as tools of war. The lessons from the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, including the devastating effects of radiation poisoning and long-term health impacts, must continue to inform our approach to nuclear abolition and global security.

Source: HT

Mains Practice Question:

“Discuss the factors contributing to the persistence of nuclear weapons in international politics despite global non-proliferation efforts. How can the global norm of non-use be strengthened amid increasing geopolitical tensions?”