Right connections

India has been admitted as the 42nd member of the Wassenaar Arrangement, (a global export control regime. Formally known as the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies, the organisation is designed to regulate the export of sensitive technologies that could possibly lead to “destabilising accumulations”.

On December 7, it was decided by the members of Wassenaar Arrangement in their plenary meeting in Vienna that India would be the latest entry into this elite group.

India’s formal entry into this group would further boost its image in the international arena. Wassenaar is a place in Netherlands where this multi-lateral export control regime was established way back in 1995.

The aim behind its establishment was to contribute to regional and international security and stability, by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies.

Its (WA) member countries are required to ensure that transfers of these items do not contribute to the development or enhancement of military capabilities which undermine these goals. The aim is also to prevent the acquisition of these items by terrorists.

Even though India is not a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, it has managed to make its entry into the Wassenaar group, which would enhance its credentials in the field of non-proliferation.

India has managed to do that by updating its export control lists earlier this year, to bring it in line with international standards, including those required by the Wassenaar Arrangement.

To be precise, India approved SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies) items, mandatory under the Wassenaar Arrangement. Through the revised list of items, India also seeks to send a message about its larger commitment to non-proliferation.

With this development, India’s has built a strong case for its entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which was opposed by China last year. What is noteworthy here is the fact that China is not a part of Wassenaar Arrangement, which made India’s entry to the group a bit smoother. This has been a big diplomatic triumph for India as it is being supported by countries like the US, Russia, France and Germany.

Currently, out of four major non-proliferation groups in the world i.e. Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Australia Group, the Wassenaar Agreement and the NSG; India has gained membership to two of them, one being Wassenaar Agreement and the other being MTCR where India gained entry last year as 35th member of the group.

Being a responsible state in the international system, India is eyeing to play a more proactive role globally. Being a part of major groups like WA enhances India’s chances to get a permanent seat in United Nations Security Council in future.

In sum, the Wassenaar Arrangement is a stepping stone for India to build up its capabilities as a counter-weight to countries such as China and its allies like Pakistan who are serious challengers to India as a power in South Asia.

The writer is a JRF at School of International Studies, JNU, Delhi.

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