The United States has congratulated India on joining the Australia Group, noting the move underscores New Delhi’s “excellent nonproliferation credentials and commitment to preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction”.
Stating that India is “a valued nonproliferation partner”, the Trump Administration said: “We look forward to continuing our work with India in the Australia Group in furtherance of our shared nonproliferation goals.”
India’s joining of the Group as its 43rd member last week “bolsters the effectiveness of the regime’s nonproliferation efforts”, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement.
An informal forum of countries, the Australia Group seeks, through harmonization of export controls, to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons (CBW).
While welcoming India to the fold, the Group said its members recognized New Delhi’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 (Chemical and Biological Weapons) in the security interests of all members of the international community”.