The “New START” treaty was in the news. What is this treaty?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) It is a bilateral strategic nuclear arms reduction treaty between the USA and the Russian Federation
New START is a two-party treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation. It limits and reduces strategic offensive (nuclear) arms. It entered into force on 5 February 2011, a few months before the 2011 Prelims, which is why it was in the news.
- ✓ (a) The treaty's formal name is 'Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms'. It is bilateral and deals with nuclear arms.
- ✗ (b) New START is not about energy security, and it is not a treaty of the East Asia Summit members. It is a nuclear arms control treaty.
- ✗ (c) The treaty is between the USA and Russia, not between Russia and the European Union. Its subject is strategic arms, not energy.
- ✗ (d) BRICS countries are not parties to New START. It covers arms limits and verification (inspections, data exchange), not trade promotion.
Remember · New START: US–Russia bilateral treaty limiting strategic offensive nuclear arms; signed in Prague in April 2010, in force from 5 February 2011.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State – New START Treaty ↗ “The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, also known as the New START Treaty … The New START Treaty entered into force on February 5, 2011.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2011, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
