Nuclear Non-proliferation — Tech Evolutions

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
NPT Review Conferences	Every 5 years (e.g., 1975, 2000, 2010, 2015, 2022)	While the NPT itself has not been formally 'amended' in the constitutional sense, its implementation and interpretation are reviewed and debated at quinquennial Review Conferences. These conferences assess the operation of the Treaty, address challenges, and often produce final documents that reaffirm commitments or propose future actions. The 1995 Review and Extension Conference indefinitely extended the NPT.	These conferences serve as crucial forums for NPT member states to hold NWS accountable for their disarmament obligations (Article VI) and to discuss peaceful nuclear cooperation (Article IV). For non-signatories like India, these conferences highlight the ongoing debates about the NPT's perceived discriminatory nature and the slow pace of disarmament, reinforcing India's principled stance.
Additional Protocol to IAEA Safeguards Agreements	1997 (Model AP adopted)	The Additional Protocol (AP) is a legal document that grants the IAEA complementary authority to that provided by safeguards agreements. It significantly strengthens the IAEA's verification capabilities by providing it with more information about a state's nuclear program and broader access to nuclear-related facilities. It is not an amendment to the NPT but an enhancement to the NPT's verification regime.	For states like India, which signed an AP in 2009, it demonstrates a commitment to enhanced transparency and verification of its civilian nuclear facilities, even outside the NPT framework. It builds confidence in India's non-proliferation credentials and facilitates its integration into global civil nuclear commerce, showcasing a responsible approach to nuclear governance.