"Iran signed NPT, India did not": Jaishankar draws sharp line on nuclear stance
EAM S Jaishankar clarifies India's NPT status and warns of global energy market volatility due to West Asia conflicts.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has drawn a definitive line between India’s nuclear policy and that of Iran, emphasizing that the two nations operate under fundamentally different international legal frameworks. Speaking at the Munich Leaders Meeting, the Minister clarified that while Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), India has intentionally remained a non-signatory to preserve its sovereign rights.
Addressing the diplomatic complexities surrounding Tehran's nuclear activities, Jaishankar noted that the distinction is critical to understanding the global landscape. "On the Iran issue, India was a country that did not sign the NPT and reserved its rights. Iran signed the NPT. The situation is very different," he stated.
The NPT Divide: India vs. Iran
The distinction highlighted by the Minister underscores a major difference in international obligations. India remains one of only four United Nations member states that have never signed the NPT—alongside Pakistan, Israel, and South Sudan. This status allows India to maintain a recognized nuclear weapons capability governed by a non-first-use policy.
In contrast, Iran's relationship with the treaty is of a different nature. Having signed the NPT in 1968 and ratified it in 1970, Iran is classified as a Non-Nuclear Weapon State (NNWS). This designation subjects its nuclear facilities to the oversight and safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Energy Markets and the "Kitchen" Impact
Beyond the nuclear debate, Jaishankar shifted the focus to the immediate economic consequences of the escalating turmoil in West Asia. He warned that the volatility in energy markets is not merely a macroeconomic concern but a direct threat to the livelihoods of ordinary people across the globe.
"Energy markets are deeply unsettled. This is people's kitchens, jobs, and their livelihoods, and these are all on the line for us because we were primarily dependent on that part of the world," Jaishankar remarked.
The Minister's concerns are rooted in India's heavy reliance on the region, as the country imports more than 85% of its crude oil requirements. Any disruption to Persian Gulf shipping routes or sudden spikes in crude prices carries immediate domestic consequences, including:
- Increased domestic inflation
- Elevated fuel costs at the pump
- Heightened pressure on household budgets
A Call for Stability and International Law
As conflicts continue to ripple through the Middle East, Jaishankar urged for a return to established legal principles to ensure the stability of global trade. He expressed a desire for the restoration of uninterrupted flows in energy, trade, and mobility, noting that many nations are paying a heavy price for conflicts in which they have no part.
"What we want to see today is a restoration of that uninterrupted flow of energy, trade, and mobility... We also hope that whatever emerges is in consonance with international law," he added.
Global Tensions Escalate
The diplomatic discourse comes amidst heightened rhetoric from other world leaders. US President Donald Trump recently suggested that Washington is preparing to make a significant decision regarding Iran, hinting that the outcome would arrive either "the easy way or the hard way." Trump asserted that the current state of Iran is one of being "decimated," though he withheld specific details regarding the administration's forthcoming actions.
Meanwhile, in Tehran, President Masoud Pezeshkian has signaled that Iran is adopting "new arrangements" to navigate the intense economic pressure and sanctions imposed by the United States. Pezeshkian accused adversaries of attempting to sever the Islamic Republic's vital economic lifelines to exert pressure on its citizenry.