Non-Nuclear Aggression Agreement Explained

Non-Nuclear Aggression Agreement
Long Name:Agreement Between India and Pakistan on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities
Type:Strategic Nuclear reduction, control and avoidance of subsequent nuclear conflicts
Date Drafted:30 November 1988 (1988-11-30)
Date Effective:1 January 1991
Condition Effective:Ratification of both parties
Date Expiration:Agreement is still in effect
Mediators:Science ministries of India and Pakistan
Negotiators:Foreign ministries of India and Pakistan
Signatories:Rajiv Gandhi
(Prime Minister of India)
Benazir Bhutto
(Prime Minister of Pakistan)
Parties:
Ratifiers:Parliament of India
Parliament of Pakistan
Depositor:Governments of Pakistan and India
Languages:

The Non-nuclear aggression agreement is a bilateral and nuclear weapons control treaty between the two South Asian states, India and Pakistan, on the reduction (or limitation) of nuclear arms and pledged not to attack or assist foreign powers to attack on each's nuclear installations and facilities.[1] The treaty was drafted in 1988, and signed by the Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and her Indian counterpart, Rajiv Gandhi on 21 December 1988; it entered into force in January 1991.[1]

The treaty barred its signatories to carry out a surprise attack (or to assist foreign power to attack) on each other's nuclear installations and facilities. The treaty provides a confidence-building security measure environment and refrained each party from "undertaking, encouraging, or participating in,directly or indirectly, any action aimed at causing destruction or damage to any nuclear installation or facility in each country".[1] Starting in January 1992, India and Pakistan have annually exchanged lists of their respective military and civilian nuclear-related facilities.[2]

Historical context

In 1986–87, the massive exercise, Brasstacks was carried out by the Indian Army, raising the fears of Indian attack on Pakistan's nuclear facilities.[3] Since then, the Foreign ministries of both countries had been negotiating to reach an understanding towards the control of nuclear weapons.[2]

After the 1988 general elections, Prime minister Benazir Bhutto extended the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.[4] On 21 December 1988, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi paid a state visit to Pakistan and met with Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Islamabad. Further discussion brought the negotiations to an end on 21 December 1988, in Islamabad, when Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi signed the "Non-Nuclear Attack Agreement". The treaty was ratified by the parliaments of India and Pakistan on ratified on 27 January 1991. The first list of India and Pakistan's nuclear installations was swapped between two nations on 1 January 1992.[5] [6]

Government sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: India-Pakistan Non-Attack Agreement . 14 February 2013 . Work of Governments of India and Pakistan . Nuclear Threat Initiatives (NTI).
  2. News: 2011-01-01 . Pakistan, India swap nuclear sites lists . China News . dead . 14 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110106010148/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-01/01/c_13673585.htm . 6 January 2011.
  3. See: Operation Brasstacks of Indian Army
  4. News: Hassan. Akhtar. Declaration termed milestone: No concessions made at summit: FO. 16 February 2013. Dawn News, 1999. 27 February 1999.
  5. News: 1 January 2009 . Pakistan, India to swap nuclear sites lists today . The Nation . 16 February 2013.
  6. News: 1 January 2012 . Pakistan, India swap lists of nuclear sites . CNN . 16 February 2013.