GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -Southern Asia is home to three nuclear powers-China, India, and Pakistan-that continue to expand and modernize their arms programs.

Detailed explanation-2: -Other states that possess nuclear weapons are India, Pakistan, and North Korea. Since the NPT entered into force in 1970, these three states were not parties to the Treaty and have conducted overt nuclear tests. North Korea had been a party to the NPT but withdrew in 2003.

Detailed explanation-3: -Pakistan holds about 100-120 nuclear weapons, which can be delivered by aircraft and land-based missiles, while India’s nuclear arsenal is around 90-110 nuclear weapons, according to estimates by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Detailed explanation-4: -According to more recent reports, it has been alleged that North Korea had been secretly supplying Pakistan with ballistic missile technology in exchange for nuclear weapons technology.