Failure of meaningful efforts to reduce nuclear arsenals: Around 12,400 N-warheads still exist today
Today, the reality is that the entire world stands on a heap of gunpowder. A global arms race is underway. The United States, which prides itself on democracy, is the world's largest arms exporter, followed by Russia. France, China, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, South Korea, and Israel are also leading arms exporters. In fact, the global arms trade is a massive industry that has existed for centuries. Every year, weapons worth billions of dollars are bought and sold worldwide. Data shows that in 2021, the global arms trade amounted to $127 billion.
Today, various arms-exporting countries earn billions by selling weapons annually. According to the Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the world's largest arms importer from 2019 to 2023, with an increase in imports compared to the 2014-18 period. Data suggests that during 2019-23, nine of the ten largest arms-importing countries, including India, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, were in Asia and the Middle East. Following extensive arms transfers from over 30 countries in 2022-23, Ukraine became the fourth-largest arms importer globally. It is also noteworthy that European nations nearly doubled their major arms imports between 2014-18 and 2019-23. During this period, U.S. arms exports increased by 17%, while Russia's arms exports halved, making Russia the third-largest arms exporter for the first time, after France.
Due to growing competition among major powers like the U.S., Russia, and China, the global arms trade continues to expand. Data reveals that India is now among the top 25 major arms-exporting countries. From 2015 to 2019, India was the second-largest arms importer. In the fiscal year 2023-24, India's defense production reached ₹1.27 lakh crore, 2.7 times higher than in 2014-15. According to available information, the central government aims to increase defense exports to ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
The arms race has pushed the world to the brink of destruction. If we talk about the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine has shrunk by 18% over three years of conflict. Thousands and millions have been killed in the devastation. Reports suggest that the Russia-Ukraine war has caused an economic loss of around ₹80-125 lakh crore, a staggering amount. Wars not only push nations backward, making recovery difficult, but they also have severe impacts on the environment and ecosystems.
The war in Israel has resulted in damages worth $67.57 billion, with health and education budgets diverted to war expenses. Meanwhile, $50 billion in investments in Gaza and the West Bank have gone to waste. Disarmament refers to reducing, limiting, or eliminating weapons, often concerning military forces or specific types of arms. It is not incorrect to say that disarmament can halt the arms race and reduce threats to humanity. Only disarmament can prevent the suffering of civilians, reduce the chances of nuclear war, and enhance global peace and security.
The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, observed on March 5 every year, highlights the catastrophic consequences of nuclear war and the urgent need to prevent nuclear proliferation. This day is not just a reminder of nuclear threats but also calls upon governments, international organizations, and civil society to work together for a world free from nuclear conflict.
Since its inception, the United Nations has prioritized multilateral disarmament and arms limitation to maintain international peace and security. Weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, remain a major concern due to their destructive power and threats to humanity. Excessive stockpiling of conventional weapons and the illegal trade of small arms and light weapons endanger international peace, security, and sustainable development. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas poses serious risks to civilians. Emerging military technologies, such as autonomous weapons, have raised global security concerns in recent years.
In 1946, just months after the devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed over 200,000 people, the UN General Assembly took its first official step toward disarmament by establishing a commission to address the problems posed by atomic energy. This marked the beginning of the UN's long-term commitment to disarmament, enshrined in its charter to save future generations from the scourge of war.
The threat of nuclear war is one of the most serious dangers facing humanity. The use of nuclear weapons results in catastrophic destruction and unimaginable casualties. A single nuclear explosion in a densely populated area could kill millions instantly and expose many more to radiation, leading to long-term illnesses and deaths. The environmental devastation caused by nuclear explosions includes massive heat and radiation emissions, widespread fires, contamination of water sources, and ecosystem destruction.
Over the past decades, the international community has taken significant steps toward disarmament and non-proliferation through treaties and agreements, including:
- The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): Signed in 1968, this treaty forms the cornerstone of global nuclear non-proliferation efforts, aiming to prevent nuclear weapon proliferation, promote disarmament, and encourage the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
- The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT): Adopted in 1996, this treaty bans all nuclear explosions, preventing the development and testing of new nuclear weapons.The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW): Also known as the Nuclear Ban Treaty, this agreement, adopted in 2017, aims for a complete ban on nuclear weapons.
- Bilateral Agreements: The New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia limits the number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons and delivery systems.
Although these efforts have helped curb nuclear proliferation, progress has been slow, and significant work remains to achieve meaningful disarmament. According to the UN, despite efforts to reduce nuclear arsenals, around 12,400 nuclear weapons still exist today.
During World War I, chemical warfare's horrors became tragically evident, with over 124,000 tons of chemical agents deployed, killing nearly 100,000 people and leaving millions severely injured. The UN reports that the cost of a single warship could fund malaria treatment for 26,000 people.
In reality, this day provides a platform for global action, promoting international cooperation on disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. By raising awareness and fostering dialogue, this day helps build a safer world for all.
The objectives of this observance include raising awareness about the dangers of weapons of mass destruction and emphasizing the importance of disarmament and non-proliferation.
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*Journalist
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