New Delhi: India on Monday joined the Missile Technology Control Regime as a full member and said its entry would be mutually beneficial to enhance global non-proliferation norms in missiles or drones capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.
China is still seeking entry into the MTCR. Whether India and the US can use this to their advantage in the coming months as a bargaining chip with China for New Delhi to secure entry to the NSG will be keenly watched by foreign policy observers.
The MTCR membership will enable India to buy high-end missile technology and 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 systems that are capable of carrying a 500-kg payload for at least 300 km.
Marking India’s first entry into any multilateral export control regime, foreign secretary S. Jaishankar signed the instrument of accession to the MTCR.
India deserves NSG: Richard Verma
The United States is “disappointed” that India was not admitted to the NSG during its recent plenary in Seoul, US ambassador to India Richard Verma said on Monday but asserted that it would continue to work with all the members of 48-nation grouping on India’s accession in the months ahead.
Referring to Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation, he said the two sides had moved forward on a 15-year project to build six Westinghouse reactors producing power for some 60 million people.
“With regard to the NSG, six years ago, President (Barack) Obama first expressed his support for India’s membership in the NSG. Since that time, we have worked closely with our Indian counterparts and NSG members to help advance India’s case for membership. India has a strong record, and deserves to be included in the NSG,” he said.
