India’s involvement in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) has been shaped by its quest for recognition as a responsible nuclear power, while navigating complex geopolitical constraints and domestic considerations.

**Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG):**

1. **Membership:** India has been an informal participant in the NSG since 2008, despite not being a formal member. This has limited its ability to participate in decision-making processes and set norms for nuclear trade.
2. **Bid for formal membership:** India has been seeking formal membership in the NSG since 2016, but its bid has been met with resistance from countries like the United States, which argues that India’s non-signatory status to the CTBT is a major obstacle.
3. **Domestic considerations:** India’s nuclear program is driven by its national security concerns and energy needs. Any compromise on its nuclear ambitions could be seen as a threat to national sovereignty.

**Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT):**

1. **Signing but not ratifying:** India signed the CTBT in 1996 but has not ratified it, citing concerns about the treaty’s verification mechanism and the potential for nuclear weapon states to exploit loopholes.
2. **Verification mechanism:** India wants a more robust verification mechanism to ensure that other countries are not developing nuclear weapons while it abides by the treaty.
3. **Geopolitical constraints:** India’s refusal to ratify the CTBT is partly due to pressure from Pakistan, which has not signed the treaty and may perceive India’s ratification as a security threat.

**Efforts to strengthen the global nuclear nonproliferation regime:**

1. **Nuclear Safety Agreement:** India and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed a nuclear safety agreement in 2011, which promotes international cooperation on nuclear safety standards and best practices.
2. **Wassenaar Arrangement:** India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement in 2017, a multilateral export control regime aimed at preventing the proliferation of dual-use goods and technologies.
3. **Global Initiative on Civilian Nuclear Energy:** India launched this initiative in 2008 to promote international cooperation on civilian nuclear energy, emphasizing safety, security, and non-proliferation.

**Geopolitical constraints and domestic considerations:**

1. **Pakistan’s influence:** India’s relations with Pakistan have historically influenced its approach to nuclear diplomacy, with concerns about Pakistan’s nuclear program driving India’s reluctance to compromise on its own nuclear ambitions.
2. **Chinese influence:** China’s growing influence in the region and its close ties with Pakistan have created concerns about India’s security environment, shaping its approach to nuclear diplomacy.
3. **Domestic politics:** Nuclear issues are highly politicized in India, with different parties and stakeholders holding divergent views on issues like nuclear disarmament and arms control.
4. **National security concerns:** India’s national security establishment prioritizes nuclear deterrence as a means of ensuring national security, making it difficult for India to compromise on its nuclear ambitions.

In conclusion, India’s involvement in the NSG and CTBT is shaped by its desire for recognition as a responsible nuclear power, while navigating complex geopolitical constraints and domestic considerations. To strengthen the global nuclear nonproliferation regime, India must balance its national interests with international obligations, while also addressing the concerns of other countries and stakeholders.