UPSC Prelims 2011 Q19: Current Affairs – International Relations & Treaties
The “New START” treaty was in the news. What is this treaty?
- (a) It is a bilateral strategic nuclear arms reduction treaty between the USA and the Russian Federation
- (b) It is a multilateral energy security cooperation treaty among the members of the East Asia Summit
- (c) It is a treaty between the Russian Federation and the European Union for energy security cooperation
- (d) It is a multilateral cooperation treaty among the BRICS countries for the promotion of trade
Answer: (a) It is a bilateral strategic nuclear arms reduction treaty between the USA and the Russian Federation
Explanation
What is the 'New START' treaty?
START stands for Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Bilateral nuclear arms reduction treaty, USA-Russia | Correct | Signed 2010, it caps strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems for both countries |
| (b) Multilateral energy security treaty, East Asia Summit members | Incorrect | Unrelated to nuclear arms; not an East Asia Summit instrument |
| (c) Russia-EU energy security treaty | Incorrect | New START is about nuclear weapons, not energy |
| (d) Multilateral BRICS trade treaty | Incorrect | Not a BRICS instrument at all |
New START at a glance:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Signed | 2010, by the US and Russian Presidents |
| Replaced | The original START I |
| Limits | 1,550 deployed strategic warheads and 700 deployed delivery vehicles per side |
| Later status | Extended to 2026; Russia suspended participation in 2023 amid the Ukraine war |
Answer: (a) It is a bilateral strategic nuclear arms reduction treaty between the USA and the Russian Federation.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. New START is a bilateral US-Russia treaty limiting strategic nuclear arms.
- (b) Incorrect. It has nothing to do with East Asia Summit energy cooperation.
- (c) Incorrect. It is not an EU energy security agreement; it is a nuclear arms treaty.
- (d) Incorrect. It is not a BRICS trade instrument.
Key point
New START (2010): bilateral US-Russia treaty capping strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems; successor to START I; extended to 2026, Russia suspended participation in 2023.
Remember
New START = US-Russia bilateral nuclear arms treaty, 2010.
Common mistakes
- Confusing 'START' (nuclear arms) with an energy or trade cooperation body.
- Assuming any treaty mentioning Russia must involve the EU or BRICS.
- Forgetting that it is bilateral, just two countries, not multilateral.
Exam tip
'START' always means Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty — nuclear weapons, US and Russia, nothing else.
Sources
- Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START), signed 8 April 2010
- Arms Control Association — The New START Treaty at a Glance