Correct Option
The 'New START' (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is a bilateral agreement between the United States of America and the Russian Federation aimed at reducing and limiting strategic offensive arms. Signed in Prague in 2010 and entering into force in 2011, it set verifiable limits on the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads (1,550) and deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and heavy bombers (700) for each country. It continued the legacy of previous arms control treaties, establishing a framework for mutual inspections and data exchanges. The treaty was extended in 2021 for an additional five years, remaining in force until February 2026. However, as of February 2023, Russia suspended its participation in the treaty's inspection activities, citing geopolitical tensions, though the treaty legally remains in effect.
Incorrect Options
- Option B: The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a forum for strategic dialogue and cooperation on broad political, security, and economic issues. While energy security is a topic of discussion, there is no specific multilateral energy security cooperation treaty known as 'New START' among its members.
- Option C: While the Russian Federation and the European Union have historically engaged in energy cooperation, particularly concerning natural gas supplies, there is no treaty specifically named 'New START' governing this relationship. The 'New START' treaty is exclusively focused on nuclear arms reduction between the USA and Russia.
- Option D: BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) is an association of major emerging national economies. Its cooperation initiatives primarily focus on economic, financial, and trade matters, as well as political and cultural exchanges. There is no multilateral cooperation treaty among BRICS countries for strategic arms reduction, nor is 'New START' associated with this grouping.