India became 35th full member of Missile Technology Control Regime

India on 27 June 2016 became the 35th full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). This entry would be mutually beneficial to enhance global non-proliferation norms.

The instrument of accession to MTCR for India was signed in New Delhi by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar. The entry also marks India's first entry into any multilateral export control regime.

The MTCR Point of Contact in Paris conveyed the decision regarding India's accession to the regime through the French Embassy in New Delhi as well as the Embassies of The Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Also Read: MTCR, NSG and Other Global Initiatives against WMD & India's Stance

Key Facts of India joining MTCR

• India's entry into the regime as its thirty-fifth member would be mutually beneficial in the furtherance of international non-proliferation objectives.

• It entered this multilateral export control regime with the support of all thirty-four MTCR Partners. In 2015, India’s membership to the group was blocked by Italy.

• MTCR membership will now enable India to buy high-end missile technology and also enhance its joint ventures with Russia.

What is MTCR?

Set up in 1987 by G-7 countries, the aim of the MTCR is to restrict the proliferation of missiles, complete rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles and related technology for those systems capable of carrying a 500 kilogram payload for at least 300 kilometres, as well as systems intended for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction.

Comment
India's entry into MTCR comes days after it failed to get Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) membership due to stiff opposition from China and six other countries, namely Austria, Brazil, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and Switzerland. Turkey remained neutral. NSG is the 48-country cartel that controls nuclear exports.

Significantly, China, which stonewalled India's entry into the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) at the just-concluded Seoul plenary, is not a member of MTCR.

India’s inclusion to the Missile Technology Control Regime means strengthening its own export controls, which will help it to justify transferring sensitive technology to India in front of other MTCR members.

Further, this may pave the way for India becoming the member of NSG, Wassenaar Agreement (conventional arms & dual-use goods and technologies) and Australia Group (chemical weapons).

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