In an important step towards its membership for the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), India on Friday joined the elite Australian Group (AG), which seeks prevention of proliferation of chemical and biological weapons (CBW) through exports.
India’s membership request was taken through a consensus decision.
With entry into the AG, India is now member of the three out of the four multilateral groupings on proliferation prevention and arms exports control and awaits the membership of the fourth export control regime, the NSG.
India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016 and the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies in 2017.
Though the membership in these three groupings strengthens the prospects for India’s membership in the NSG, New Delhi still has to overcome the Beijing roadblock which is insisting on signing of a Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, insisting that to be important criteria for the NSG membership.
Kenneth Juster, the United States Ambassador to India, recently said America is working with its partner countries for India’s membership in the NSG.
“On January 19, 2018, India formally became the 43rd member of the Australia Group (AG), the cooperative and voluntary group of countries working to counter the 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,” the AG said in a release.
Reacting to India’s entry to the group, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Ravish Kumar said it would be mutually beneficial and to help in non proliferation. He said the AG membership will help in establishing India's credentials further.
“India joined the AG on January 19, 2018, following the completion of internal procedures for joining the Group. The Australia Group decided to admit India as the Group’s 43rd Participant through a consensus decision. India would like to thank each of the AG participants for their support for India’s membership. We would also like to thank Ambassador Jane Hardy of Australia, former Chair of the Australia Group, for her role in facilitating India’s accession to the Group. India’s entry into the Group would be mutually beneficial and further contribute to international security and non-proliferation objectives,” Ravish said.
India has also said its law-based export control system enables the Government to implement the obligations arising from the Australia Group's Guidelines and Common Control lists, including its reporting requirements, information exchange and principles.
The AG said there is very strong support expressed for India's membership at the 26-30 June 2017 Australia Group Plenary, after which consensus was reached inter-sessionally. India then reaffirmed its intention to join the Group.
"In warmly welcoming India to the Group, the other AG members recognised the Government of India's commitment to bring India's export control system into alignment with the AG 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 release said.
It added that 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.
"India is also aware of the need to constantly adapt its export controls in the face of rapidly evolving scientific and technological challenges, and in this regard, affirmed its readiness to act in close cooperation with all members towards the furtherance of AG objectives," it further said.
The other members of the AG are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, latvia, lithuania, luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Republic of Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States.