Consider the following countries – 1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?
Explanation
Statement 1 is Correct: China is recognized as a Nuclear Weapon State (NWS) under the NPT, as it had manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to January 1, 1967.
Statement 2 is Correct: France is recognized as a Nuclear Weapon State (NWS) under the NPT.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: India is not a signatory to the NPT and is not recognized as a Nuclear Weapon State under the treaty, despite possessing nuclear weapons.
Statement 4 is Incorrect: Israel has never signed the NPT and is not recognized as a Nuclear Weapon State under the treaty.
Statement 5 is Incorrect: Pakistan is not a signatory to the NPT and is not recognized as a Nuclear Weapon State under the treaty.
Under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), only five states are recognized as Nuclear Weapon States: the United States, Russia (formerly the Soviet Union), the United Kingdom, France, and China. These five states also happen to be the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (P5).