Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology.

Promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Nuclear disarmament.

The three objectives viz. non-proliferation, disarmament, and the right to peacefully use of nuclear technology, are sometimes called three pillars of NPT.

The treaty entered into force in 1970 and in 1995 it was extended indefinitely. It has 191 parties.

All the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are among its members.

India, Pakistan & Israel have not signed the treaty.

North Korea acceded to the NPT in 1985, then withdrew in 2003.

The Treaty represents the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States.