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India is all set to become the 42nd member of the multilateral forum for export control on defence and space technology Wassenaar Arrangement (WA). The decision was taken during its Plenary Meeting on December 6-7 held in Vienna.
“Confirming that the WA's existing membership criteria continue to apply, WA Participating States reviewed the progress of a number of current membership applications and agreed at the Plenary meeting to admit India which will become the Arrangement's 42nd Participating State as soon as the necessary procedural arrangements for joining the WA are completed,” said a statement issued by the Plenary Chair on 2017 Outcomes of the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Control for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies.
Tie-ups in defense, space
Reacting to the development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) here said this comes a year after India became member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) that had upped the country’s non-proliferation credentials.
India’s WA membership is expected to facilitate high technology tie-ups for Indian industry and easy access to high-tech items for its defence and space programmes. However, this would not automatically translate into a preferential treatment from other WA members but it would create a base for realignment of India in the export control policy framework of other WA members, including eligibility for certain licensing exceptions.
“India’s entry into the Arrangement would be mutually beneficial and further contribute to international security and non-proliferation objectives,” said according to Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson, MEA.
NSG application
India had been making efforts to be a part of the WA, Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Australia Group and the MTCR ever since India agreed to a Civil Nuclear Deal with the US in July 2005 in a joint statement by Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then US President George W Bush.
However, whether this membership boosts India’s application at the 48-member NSG remains to be seen.
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