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India joins Australia Group, boost to NSG bid

NEW DELHI: India became member of the Australia Group that counters spread of materials, equipment and technologies that could contribute to the development or acquisition of CBWs.

India joins Australia Group, boost to NSG bid

MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. File photo



Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 19

India on Friday became the 43rd member of the Australia Group, third of the four export control regimes of which it is now a part of, as it bats for a seat on the Nuclear Supplier’s Group (NSG).

The informal and voluntary Australia Group works to counter spread of materials, equipment and technologies that could contribute to the development or acquisition of chemical and biological weapons (CBW) by states or terrorist groups.

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In a formal release, the Australia Group announced, “In warmly welcoming India to the group, the other Australia Group members recognised the Government of India’s commitment to bring India’s export control system into alignment with the Australia Group and India’s determination to contribute to the global effort to prevent the proliferation of CBW in the security interests of all members of the international community.”

The statement further added, “With its admission into the AG, India has demonstrated the will to implement rigorous controls of high standards in international trade, and its capacity to adapt its national regulatory system to meet the necessities of its expanding economy.”

At the plenary session held in June-end last year the group expressed strong support for India’s candidature and consensus was arrived at subsequently.

Thanking members for their support, Ministry of External Affairs said in its statement, “India’s entry into the group would be mutually beneficial and contribute further to international security and non-proliferation objectives.”

After MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime) and Wassenaar Arrangement, this is the third export control regime that India has now membership of.

Interestingly though China is not a member of any of these three groupings.

Responding to a specific question by The Tribune if this will boost India’s bid to the elite Nuclear Suppliers’ Group where India faces the Beijing road block, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “Our credentials have been established since we have become members of these three groups. As far as NSG membership is concerned we do remain engaged with all the countries who are members and we hope our credentials are taken into account as and when a decision is taken.”

China has rallied support of some dozen countries to oppose India’s NSG membership on technical grounds for not being a signatory to Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty.

US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster in his recent inaugural policy speech said that America continues to talk to all players to push for India’s entry into NSG.

Meanwhile, Australian and French envoys in India welcomed India’s latest membership.

“Look forward to working together to strengthening our collective efforts against the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons,” tweeted Australian High Commissioner Harinder Sidhu.

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