The NSG, Non-NPT States, and the Future of Nonproliferation Norms in South Asia

The global nonproliferation regime's ability to adapt to changing geopolitical conditions and uphold established rules is essential to its integrity. A fundamental requirement for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group is adherence to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Addressing concerns of nuclear states that are not signatories to the NPT is a significant challenge for the NSG. It would also be inappropriate to exclude these countries from nonproliferation agreements, as laws not mutually agreed upon do not establish a stable social order. India's nuclear warheads increased from 172 to 180, while Pakistan's stockpile remained steady at approximately 170, as per the 2025 yearbook of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. This shift underscores the necessity of addressing disparities in nuclear development when developing fair and inclusive nonproliferation norms for non-NPT states seeking NSG membership. To objectively evaluate the inclusion of non-NPT nuclear states, this paper comprehends a criteria-based, balanced approach to NSG membership. If one state is given preferential treatment or selection outside of the NPT framework, the NSG could become politicized, lose credibility, and have implications for the nonproliferation regime. To maintain the efficacy, legitimacy, and long-term stability of the global nonproliferation regime, this paper concludes that NSG membership requirements must be modified to reflect universal and unbiased norms while taking into account the valid concerns of non-NPT governments. This research will contribute to the nonproliferation literature by examining the NSG's preferential treatment through a South Asian-centric lens, discussing how discriminatory norm implementation will restructure NSG integrity and strategic stability. This research also suggested strengthening nonproliferation norms through transparent, impartial, and criteria-based engagements with non-NPT states for inclusion in the NSG. The study employs realism as the theoretical framework to guide analysis of the case study and uses a qualitative research method to collect primary and secondary data.