Close X
Friday, December 13, 2024
ADVT 
India

India Joins Group That Controls Global Missile Technology Sale

Darpan News Desk IANS, 27 Jun, 2016 01:15 PM
    Days after the setback at the Nuclear Suppliers Group due to China's opposition, India on Monday became the 35th member of a global anti-proliferation bloc, the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). This will not only ensure access to high-end missile technology but also enable the country to sell indigenous BrahMos missiles internationally.
     
    The grouping said India's membership would "strengthen the international efforts to prevent proliferation of delivery systems of ballistic missiles or unmanned aircraft capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction".
     
    The MTCR membership is seen as a step forward in India’s recognition as a legitimate nuclear power after it conducted atomic tests in 1998.
     
    India had applied in 2008 for the membership of the elite club of countries set up in 1987 that controls exports in missile technology and unmanned delivery systems of atomic or other weapons of mass destruction.
     
    The club places restrictions on its members exporting missile and missile-related technology, particularly on those capable of carrying a payload of at least 500 kg to a distance of at least 300 km. These include both cruise missiles and larger drones.
     
    India’s long wait to join the MTCR actually ended in Washington D.C. earlier in June during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US trip when a deadline for members of the grouping to object to India's admission expired on June 6.
     
    None of the group’s 34 members raised any objections, paving the way for India’s smooth entry into the bloc of which China is still not a member.
     
    China along with other nations like South Africa, Norway, Brazil, Austria, New Zealand, Ireland and Turkey last week blocked India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) -- one of the four multilateral export control regimes.
     
    Since India's civil nuclear deal with the US, New Delhi has been wanting to join all of the regimes, including the Australia Group and Wassenaar Arrangement since 2008 as part of the India-US civil nuclear cooperation agreement.
     
     
    The MTCR membership gives India access to restricted high-end technologies for developing its cryogenic rocket engines in order to further its space exploration.
     
    India will now also be able to acquire from the US armed Predator drones -- America’s hot favourite in its war on terror in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
     
    India can now also explore the sale of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia.
     
    Both countries have been hoping to sell the missile to third countries which would now be possible after India’s MTCR membership, making it a significant arms exporter for the first time. India is already in talks with Vietnam to sell BrahMos with a flight range of 290-300km and payload of 200-300 kg.
     
    The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry welcomed the development that will "facilitate access to niche technologies to (the country's) industry in sensitive sectors like defence, aerospace and nuclear".
     
    "This inclusion also augurs well with India's position as an important player in the world order and fitting an emerging economic superpower," Ficci Secretary General Didar Singh said. 
     
    "As Indian industry, we have opportunity to rise to the occasion and put in place checks and balances compliant with the obligations that this regime entails." 
     
     
    Italy in 2015 had blocked India’s entry over the issue of two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012 off the Kerala coast. The Supreme Court of India recently allowed the second marine, Salvatore Girone, also to return home in Rome on May 29, pending trial against them.
     
    “India would like to thank each of the 34 MTCR Partners for their support for the membership," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesman Vikas Swarup said.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Shatrughan Sinha Again Floats Varun Gandhi's Name As BJP's UP Face

    BJP lawmaker Shatrughan Sinha today once again floated the name of Varun Gandhi as the party's face in Uttar Pradesh, where elections are scheduled for next year.

    Shatrughan Sinha Again Floats Varun Gandhi's Name As BJP's UP Face

    6 Universities To Begin Yoga Departments This Year, Says Smriti Irani

    6 Universities To Begin Yoga Departments This Year, Says Smriti Irani
    A decision has been taken that from the year 2016-17, new or revamped Yoga departments would be opened," she said

    6 Universities To Begin Yoga Departments This Year, Says Smriti Irani

    Kashmiri Girl Briefly Detained At Delhi Airport Amid 'Bomb Scare'

    They said security agencies at the airport were alerted by some staff that a paper slip stating "carrying bomb" was in the baggage of the girl.

    Kashmiri Girl Briefly Detained At Delhi Airport Amid 'Bomb Scare'

    PM Modi Has No Need For Experts Like Raghuram Rajan, Says Rahul Gandhi

    PM Modi Has No Need For Experts Like Raghuram Rajan, Says Rahul Gandhi
    Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan making it clear that he does not want a second term.

    PM Modi Has No Need For Experts Like Raghuram Rajan, Says Rahul Gandhi

    Subramanian Swamy Usually Talks 'Rubbish', Says Mani Shankar Aiyar

    Mr Aiyar was participating at the Kalinga Literary Festival in Bhubaneswar along with Mr Swamy, who in his keynote address at the event, and on its sidelines, advocated recasting the country's history.

    Subramanian Swamy Usually Talks 'Rubbish', Says Mani Shankar Aiyar

    Raghuram Rajan Realised He Won't Get Second Term, Says Subramanian Swamy

    Raghuram Rajan Realised He Won't Get Second Term, Says Subramanian Swamy
    BJP lawmaker Subramanian Swamy, who demanded sacking of RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, today said his decision not to take a second term was good because he has realised he would not get another tenure.

    Raghuram Rajan Realised He Won't Get Second Term, Says Subramanian Swamy