About the Treaty

• The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed in 2010 by Russia and the United States and entered into force in 2011. 
• New START replaced the 1991 START I treaty, which expired in 2009, and superseded the 2002 Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT).
• New START caps the deployed strategic nuclear warheads and bombs of the United States at Russia at 1,550 each. The Treaty includes limits on missiles, bombers, and land-based launchers for nuclear weapons. 
• The Treaty also allows for verification inspections and information-sharing. 
• The New Start Treaty is due to expire next February.

Why in News?

• The US has rejected an offer by Russia for a one-year extension of the New START treaty, describing it as a “non-starter”.
• This is the second time the US has rejected an offer from Russia, with Moscow previously offering to extend New Start for five years without preconditions. 
• The US wants a more expansive deal as well as the inclusion of China in nuclear accords.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/putin-wants-new-start-treaty-extended/article32876071.ece