By Admin 
After almost 30 years, America has said that it can start testing nuclear weapons again, after which the danger of deteriorating the global nuclear balance is looming in the world. Other countries like Russia and China are also continuously conducting tests related to their nuclear weapons. This step is also putting India in a new strategic dilemma.
Trump ordered testing of nuclear weapons
US President Trump wrote on Truth Social, “Because of the testing programs of other countries, I have directed the War Department to begin testing our nuclear weapons on a similar basis. We stopped testing several years ago, but since other countries are also testing, I think it would be right to do so.”
In an interview given to American news channel CBS, Trump said, “Russia and China are doing nuclear testing, but they do not talk about it. North Korea and Pakistan are also doing nuclear testing.” During this, he once again reiterated his role in the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
‘Nuclear testing will be very expensive’
Hans Christensen of the Federation of American Scientists told The Telegraph that restarting nuclear testing would be very expensive and would take a long time. He said that testing to develop a new nuclear weapon would take about 5 years. Under the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) of 1966, it was said that all nuclear explosions for both military and civilian purposes would be banned.
By the year 2024, 187 countries had signed it and 178 countries had ratified it. However, this treaty has not yet come into effect because eight major countries including the US, China, India and Pakistan have not completed both the phases. The US signed the CTBT but did not ratify it, so it is not bound to abide by it. Russia had canceled its approval in the year 2023.
Which country conducted nuclear test when?
China, France and Britain last conducted nuclear tests in 1996. The Soviet Union last conducted a test in 1990, while the US discontinued it in 1992. Since the signing of the CTBT, only 10 nuclear tests have been conducted, all conducted by India, Pakistan and North Korea.
North Korea has carried out six underground explosions in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016 (twice) and 2017, while Israel is not clarifying its position on possessing nuclear weapons. South Africa is the only country that developed and then voluntarily destroyed its own weapons.
How many nuclear weapons are there today?
According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), by the year 2025, nine countries will collectively have about 12,241 nuclear weapons. Of these, 9,614 are in military reserves for potential use, 3,912 are deployed with operational forces and about 2,100 are on high alert. Russia has a total of 5,459 nuclear weapons (4,309 in military stockpile), America 5,177 (3,700 in military stockpile), China-600, France-290, Britain-225, India-180, Pakistan-170, Israel-90, North Korea-50.
Should India also conduct nuclear tests?
India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974 and Pokhran-II in 1998. India’s nuclear doctrine policy is based on the principles of maintaining credible minimum deterrence, with an emphasis on restraint and responsibility. India has not conducted any nuclear test since 1988. Trump’s testing order and Russia-China’s increasing nuclear activities have sparked a debate in India on whether it should reconsider its ban.
Former Indian Army Lieutenant General Raj Shukla posted on Twitter: “Trump announces resumption of nuclear tests. Putin tests nuclear-powered cruise missile, Burevestnik and underwater nuclear-powered Poseidon. Is there a need to rethink India’s nuclear stance?” Happymon Jacob, founder of the Center for Security and Development Research, said, “If America resumes nuclear tests, India should also take advantage of this opportunity to conduct its own thermonuclear tests.”