• UGI USER
  • Apr 02, 2024
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A SPEECH THAT PUT INDIA ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

Syllabus:

GS I : Post-independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the country:

Why in the news?

Nehru’s 1954 speech in Lok Sabha propelled India onto the global stage of nuclear disarmament, advocating for a standstill agreement on testing.

source:wordpress

About Speech by Jawaharlal Nehru: India’s Global Leadership in Nuclear Disarmament:

  • April 1954: Jawaharlal Nehru addresses Lok Sabha in response to theS. ‘Castle Bravo’ nuclear test.
  • Urges for a “standstill agreement” on nuclear testing, despite India’s lack of military and economic might.

About the Principles of the Speech:

  • Marked by pragmatism, vision, and self-assurance, Nehru asserts India’s global standing.
  • Calls for moratorium on nuclear testing, pushing for disarmament at every forum.
  • Cemented India’s claim to global leadership in disarmament.
  • Led to Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), limiting horizontal nuclear proliferation.
Understanding the Standstill Agreement:

●   Signatories:

●   Signed between the newly independent dominions of India and Pakistan and the princely states of the British Indian Empire.

●   Bilateral Nature:

●   The agreement was bilateral between a dominion (India or Pakistan) and a princely state.

●   Purpose:

●   Intended to ensure the continuity of administrative arrangements that existed between the British Crown and the princely state.

●   Aimed to maintain stability and prevent disruptions during the transition period to the new dominions.

●   Continuation of Arrangements:

●   Stipulated that all existing administrative arrangements between the British Crown and the princely state would continue unaltered between the signatory dominion and the princely state.

●   Transition Period:

●   Agreement remained in force until new arrangements were made between the dominion and the princely state.

●   Importance:

●   Helped in ensuring a smooth transition from British colonial rule to independence for both India and Pakistan.

●   Prevented immediate disruptions in governance and administration in the princely states during the integration process.

●   Legacy:

●   Played a significant role in maintaining stability and facilitating the integration of princely states into the new dominions of India and Pakistan.

●   Represents an important aspect of the decolonization process in South Asia.

About the United Nations Disarmament Commission (UNDC):

●    Establishment:

●    Set up in 1952 to create proposals for treaties regulating and reducing armed forces and weapons.

●    Meetings:

●    Initially met infrequently.

●    Second iteration was established in 1978 as a subsidiary of the UN General Assembly.

●    Consists of all UN members and meets annually in New York for about 3 weeks.

●    Purpose:

●    Provides recommendations focusing on disarmament efforts.

About the UN Disarmament Week:

●    Observance Period:

●    From October 24 to 30 annually.

●    Purpose:

●    Raise awareness and understanding of disarmament’s significance and challenges.

●    Advocate for political dialogue and negotiations over arms usage.

●    Promote the elimination of materials supporting armed conflicts.

●    Emphasise confidence-building measures to overcome tensions and conflicts.

●    Background:

●   Proposed in the Final Document of the UN General Assembly’s 1978 special session on disarmament.

●   First observed in 1978.

●   Continued participation encouraged by the UNGA in 1995.

●   Women-led observance in 2019.

About Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT):

  • Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT):
  • Signed on August 5, 1963, and effective from October 10, 1963.
  • Prohibits all nuclear explosions in the Earth’s atmosphere, outer space, and underwater.
  • Aimed at reducing global radioactive fallout and associated environmental and health risks.
  • Key Provisions:
  • Bans atmospheric, outer space, and underwater nuclear tests.
  • Allows underground testing, provided it doesn’t release radioactive debris.
  • Encourages negotiation of additional agreements for verification and compliance monitoring.
  • Impact on Nuclear Disarmament:
  • Contributed to de-escalating the Cold War arms race.
  • Didn’t address complete nuclear disarmament but focused on limiting nuclear testing.
  • Environmental and Health Effects:
  • Underwater tests: Ocean pollution, marine ecosystem damage, and long-term environmental contamination.
  • Atmospheric tests: Shockwaves, radioactive fallout, electromagnetic pulses, and potential nuclear winter effects.
  • Long-term health risks: Increased cancer risk, birth defects, and radiation-related illnesses.
  • Relevance and Legacy:
  • Precursor to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
  • Remains relevant for parties not bound by the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
  • Highlights the ongoing importance of promoting nuclear disarmament and environmental protection.

About the Standstill Agreement:

  • Proposes incremental approach amidst Cold War tensions.
  • Urges immediate moratorium on testing and greater disclosure on nuclear weapons’ effects.
  • Calls for UN Disarmament Commission action and global pressure on nuclear states.

Understanding Prior to Independence – Standstill Agreement:

  • Draft Formulation:
  • Drafted by the Political department of the British Indian government soon after 3 June 1947.
  • Stipulated the continuation of administrative arrangements between the British Crown and princely states.
  • Discussion and Finalization:
  • Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohammad Ali Jinnah debated whether the agreement should cover only administrative matters.
  • Finalised by the States Negotiating Committee on 31 July after discussion.
  • Implementation:
  • The Indian government insisted on signing standstill agreements only with states that acceded.
  • By 15 August 1947, all but four princely states, including Junagadh and Hyderabad, signed both the Instrument of Accession and Standstill agreement with India.
  • Exceptions:
  • Junagadh declared accession to Pakistan on 15 August but was accepted by Pakistan on 13 September.
  • Jammu and Kashmir opted for independence, offering to sign standstill agreements with both India and Pakistan.
  • The Khanate of Kalat also chose to remain independent but signed a standstill agreement with Pakistan.

About the Legacy and Impact of the speech:

  • Nehru’s speech laid the foundation for India’s active role in global nuclear disarmament.
  • Demonstrated moral force despite India’s weak international position at the time.
  • Conclusion:
  • Nehru’s speech, 70 years ago, propelled India onto the global stage as a leader in nuclear disarmament.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Practice Question:

How did Nehru’s pragmatism, vision, and self-assurance pave the way for India’s active participation in international negotiations, ultimately leading to the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT)? Evaluate the impact of the PTBT on global nuclear proliferation and India’s position in the realm of nuclear disarmament.