Context & Global Background
- SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) 2025 report flags a renewed global nuclear arms race amid weakening arms control frameworks.
- Nine nuclear-armed nations (U.S., Russia, China, France, U.K., India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea) continued nuclear modernisation in 2024.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations) ,GS 3(Technology ,Science)
India’s Nuclear Status (as of Jan 2025)
- India’s nuclear warhead stockpile rose to 180 from 172 in 2024.
- Continued development of new delivery systems, including:
- Canisterised missiles: Enable faster deployment and may be peacetime-ready, carrying mated warheads.
- Potential future capability for Multiple Independently-targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs).
Pakistan’s Parallel Developments
- Maintained warhead count at 170, but accumulated fissile material and developed new delivery systems.
- Indicates likely expansion of arsenal in coming years.
- SIPRI notes that early 2025 saw India-Pakistan armed tensions, with risks of escalation to nuclear confrontation.
Strategic Risks & Emerging Concerns
- Armed strikes on nuclear-related military infrastructure and third-party disinformation risked turning conventional conflict into nuclear crisis.
- Experts warn against increased dependence on nuclear deterrence in volatile regions like South Asia.
Global Nuclear Inventory (Jan 2025 SIPRI Estimates)
| Country | Total Warheads | Deployed | Stored |
| U.S. | 5,177 | 1,770 | 1,930 |
| Russia | 5,459 | 1,718 | 2,591 |
| China | 600 | 24 | 576 |
| India | 180 | Not specified | |
| Pakistan | 170 | Not specified | |
| Total Inventory | 12,241 | 3,912 deployed, 9,614 in military stockpiles |
Remaining warheads are in central storage (non-deployed).
Key Treaty-Related Warning
- The New START treaty (U.S.-Russia) expires in Feb 2026; no successor agreement in sight.
- Without a new arms control deal, deployed warheads on strategic missiles may increase, heightening instability.
