How to square the CTBT circle

The US pressure on India to at least sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), if not ratify it, continues, and is unlikely to diminish. Those in India who suggest an unconditional acceptance of the CTBT, base it on the argument that having demonstrated its nuclear capability and thereby ensured its national security, India can sign the CTBT without holding out for the gains that may accrue from the act of signing. Those who are opposed to India signing the treaty base their objections on their doubts about the existence/reliability of the Indian nuclear deterrent. The third group comprises those who believe that India's current nuclear deterrent capability is satisfactory and India should sign the CTBT subject to certain gains in return. What is needed is a consensus in the country on signing the CTBT and the time is now appropriate for laying the groundwork for a national consensus without sacrificing the national interests. This article analyses the issues involved in India's signing the CTBT. (author)