International Affairs
Russia has formally announced its withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, citing Western missile deployments as a direct threat to its national security. This move marks a significant reversal in global arms control efforts and raises concerns over a potential new arms race, particularly in the Eurasian theatre.
The INF Treaty, signed in 1987 between the US and USSR, was a pioneering agreement that eliminated all ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 km. It was the first treaty to entirely abolish a class of nuclear and conventional weapons rather than merely limit them, significantly de-escalating Cold War tensions in Europe.
Russia’s exit reflects growing geopolitical mistrust and shifting global power dynamics. It undermines decades of arms control architecture and signals the erosion of mutual restraint in missile deployment. For India, this development may necessitate a recalibration of its own security posture and diplomatic engagement with global non-proliferation regimes.
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