India was absent at the month-long Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, which began at the United Nations’ Headquarters in New York on May 3. This was no surprise in itself. The most astounding aspect, however, was India’s decision to stay out even as an observer. On the eve of the conference, which assembles every five year, Indian mission at the U.N. issued a brief written statement, saying that the country is not a member of the 40-year old treaty. Therefore, it will not participate in its review process. But, the general impression here is that the Indian move is intended at warding off the expected international pressure to join the treaty. As an observer, India could have been present at the conference but without the right to express its views on the treaty, the privilege available only to its members. Formally, India may not be associated with pact, it had made known at every international form that it is committed to the idea of nonproliferation. But, it has certain objections to the very foundation of the NPT.

In India’s view, the NPT is a flawed treaty as “it does not recognize the need for universal, non-discriminatory verification and treatment.” India is a nuclear weapon capable state. Pakistan and Israel enjoy the same status. All the three are out of the NPT. India and Pakistan had undertaken nuclear tests but Israel avoided such a course apparently considering it unnecessary. But, it is a known fact that Tel Aviv possesses about 200 nuclear weapons. North Korea which had been a signatory to the treaty from the very inception walked out of it 2001 and conducted tests in 2006 and 2009 to demonstrate its weapon capability. Pyongyang’s action raised a new threat of proliferation not only for the Korean peninsula but for the world as a whole.