It was founded in 1996 to promote the Treaty so that it can enter into force.
It also establishes a verification regime to monitor adherence to the Treaty.
The CTBT verification includes
International Monitoring System (IMS),
International Data Centre (IDC)
On-site inspections (OSI).
Criticism of the Treaty
Defining the “comprehensive test ban” as a “zero yield” test ban that would prohibit supercritical hydro-nuclear tests but not sub-critical hydrodynamic nuclear tests.
Anchoring the CTBT in a disarmament framework, as proposed by India, was not accepted
The treaty’s entry-into-force- provisions, which listed 44 countries by name, was protested by India as arm-twisting tactic and violation of Sovereign right of India
CTBTO is largely funded by US and unable to promote the treaty effectively.
Recent trends in Nuclear Arms
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) that limits U.S. and Russian arsenals will expire in 2021 and US is not inclined to extend it
US has embarked on a $1.2 trillion nuclear modernisation plan spanning 30 years
China has also embarked on modernisation plan to enhance the lifespane of its smaller nuclear arsenal
US wants to China into some kind of nuclear arms control agreement
But China is not interested by pointing to the fact that the U.S. and Russia still account for over 90% of global nuclear arsenals.
China also maintains that it will ratify CTBT only after the U.S.
This indicates the increasing divergence between US and China –trade and technology disputes, militarisation in the South China Sea and coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. could also be preparing the ground for resuming nuclear testing at Nevada indicating the beginning of new arms race
Conclusion
The developments between US and China could be the signs for a new cold war
Connecting the dots:
India’s Nuclear Doctrine
India’s attempt to become a member of Nuclear Supplier Group
