India's application for missile tech control seat 'well received'

India’s application for membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) was “well-received” as the cartel controlling export of unmanned weapon delivery systems discussed the issue at its annual plenary meeting in Oslo on Friday.

The MTCR is one of the four export control regimes India has been trying to enter ever since it inked the civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the US in 2008.

The 34-nation bloc, however, did not declare its decision on India’s application on Friday, indicating possibility of further discussion on the issue. New Delhi, however, expressed its hope that the MTCR would reach a decision soon.

New Delhi had applied for MTCR membership last June. “It has been received well and it remains under consideration,” official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup said on Friday.

“We are hopeful that MTCR discussions on this issue will conclude soon. India’s membership of the MTCR and other export control regimes would further strengthen global non-proliferation objectives,” Swarup added.

The MTCR came into existence in 1987 with founding members like the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK.

Curbing proliferation
It now has 34 members. Its objective is to restrict proliferation of missiles, complete rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles and related technology for systems capable of carrying a 500-kilogram payload at least 300 kilometres, as well as systems intended for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction or WMDs.

During his visit to New Delhi in 2010, American President Barack Obama pledged support to India’s bid for membership into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Wassenaar Arrangement, Australian Group and the MTCR.

While the NSG controls global export of nuclear material and technology, the Wassenaar Arrangement is a grouping of 40 countries that controls global trade of conventional weapons and dual-use goods and technologies. The Australian Group, on the other hand, governs international trade of materials used to make chemical and biological weapons. A waiver from the NSG for India in 2008 paved way for New Delhi’s nuke deal with Washington.

This ended India’s 34-year-long isolation from global nuclear commerce.
New Delhi’s bid to enter the 46-nation NSG, however, has not seen much success so far.