Reforms in the NPT and prospects for India's accession: a situational analysis

Since its indefinite extension in 1995, the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has been on the sidelines, with its utility eroding in the post-Cold War security environment, as new instruments took over the anti-proliferation mantle. Being the cornerstone of the regime and near-universal in character, the NPT has nonetheless survived despite a host of challenges threatening its existence. Its future, however, is imperilled unless the member state take remedial actions, including a restructuring of the treaty to suit 21st century requirements. Such structural reforms should meet new challenges as well as redress existing shortcomings, including the means to ensure total universalization. (author)