India tightens export control norms for dual use technology

India has tightened its export control norms for dual use technologies hoping such stringent norms will aid New Delhi find an entry into the Nuclear Suppiler’s Group and three other elite export control regimes that call the shots in global dual use technology business.

The list of SCOMET items—which specifies how and which of these commonly forbidden technologies is fit for export from India—has been updated to be on par with the Nuclear Suppiler’s Group and Missile Technology Control Regime list. “In some respects, our controls are more stringent than those practised by the NSG and MTCR.

The notification will be out in a day or two,” Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said here on Wednesday in the presence of International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano who is visiting India.

The director-general of foreign trade (DGFT) maintains a catalogue of special Chemicals, organism, materials, equipment and technologies (SCOMET), export of which are regulated as part of the government’s foreign trade policy. Any Indian businessmen who want to export items under the SCOMET list, are required to take special permissions either from the department of atomic energy (in case of nuclear material and technologies) or defence ministry (for ammunition) or from an inter-ministerial working group that monitors other items. After receiving a special status at the IAEA and NSG within the last five years, New Delhi is now trying to break into the four export control regimes – NSG, MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement and Australian Group – with tacit support from the US.

“As a like-minded country, India has demonstrated responsible non-proliferation and export control practices and has shown the ability and willingness to contribute substantially to global non-proliferation objectives and is engaged with the multilateral regimes with a view to joining these groups as a full member.” Mathai said.