The members of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) – a key anti-proliferation grouping – have agreed to admit India, in a win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he met President Barack Obama in Washington on Tuesday.
Diplomats, with direct knowledge of the matter, said a deadline for the members of the 34-nation group to object to India’s admission had expired on Monday. Under this so-called ‘silent procedure’, India’s admission follows automatically.
US President Barack Obama has strongly backed India’s membership into the MTCR and three other export control regimes – Australia Group, Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement.
What is MTCR?
MTCR is an informal and voluntary partnership among 35 countries to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology. It was established in April 1987 – and it aims to limit the spread of any unmanned delivery system that could be used for chemical, biological, and nuclear attacks.
What Does That Mean For India?
Admission to the MTCR would open the way for India to buy high-end missile technology. It will also give India the scope to buy state-of-the-art surveillance drones such as the US Predator, made by General Atomics.
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India Gets Backing for NSG Membership
The development comes as India was expanding its diplomatic outreach seeking support for its entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). India has developed a range of missile systems including Brahmos, Agni and Prithvi missile systems. Brahmos is a joint venture with Russia.
India’s application at the NSG is expected to be taken up for discussion by the NSG at its plenary meetings on June 9 in Vienna and June 24 in Seoul. China has been opposing India’s bid arguing that it was not a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
However, Obama on Tuesday supported India’s candidature for NSG membership – and so did Switzerland a couple of days ago.
(With agency inputs)
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