India, on Monday, formally joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The move has come three days after India failed to get membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) due to stiff opposition from China and concerns from a handful of other countries.
The MTCR Point of Contact in Paris has conveyed the decision regarding India’s accession to the regime through the Embassy of France in New Delhi, as well as the Embassies of The Netherlands and Luxembourg. India would like to thank each of the thirty-four MTCR Partners for their support for India’s membership.MEA statement
Significantly, China, which stonewalled India’s entry into the 48-nation NSG, is not a member of the 34-nation MTCR.
Since its civil nuclear deal with the US, India has been trying to get into export control regimes like the NSG, MTCR, the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement that regulate the conventional, nuclear, biological and chemicals weapons and technologies.
India’s case in the MTCR was opposed last year by Italy, which was not happy with New Delhi over the marines dispute. However, after both marines – accused of murdering two fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012 – were allowed to return, the Italians have softened their opposition.
MTCR membership will enable India to buy high-end missile technology and also enhance its joint ventures with Russia. 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 (WMD).
(With inputs from PTI)
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