India to be a member of the Nuclear Supply Group?

NSG (Nuclear Supply Group) chairperson, Rafael Grossi has said that the NSG will start consultations on India's membership to the elite nuclear group this month. He also ruled out an 'India-specific' rule which leaves room for Pakistan and Israel (both have not signed the NPT like India) to apply. India has sought membership of the NSG since 2008.

The NSG (Nuclear Supply Group) is a 48-member multinational body concerned with reducing nuclear proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that may be applicable to nuclear weapon development and by improving safeguards and protection on existing materials. Ironically, NSG was founded in response to India's nuclear tests in 1974 to stop what it called 'misuse' of nuclear material meant for peaceful purposes. Although, India received a special waiver to conduct nuclear trade with all nuclear exporters in 2008, it has not been accepted as a member of the 'club'.

The NSG works by consensus, which means no votes, but all members have to agree to a proposal. Although the NSG has been admitting new members, it has admitted only those countries which are part of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) and the CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty). India has neither signed the NPT or the CTBT. In the past few months President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Sweden, Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ireland and Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar's visit to Switzerland saw intense discussions over the NSG question. Support of all these countries, including Norway was critical, as they were previously seen as 'non-proliferation' hardliners, insisting that India sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty before it could be admitted. However, in recent years, their position has softened, as they have been calling for India to align its civil nuclear safeguards with NSG guidelines. Both the US and Russia have pledged support for India's inclusion to the NSG. With Prime Minister Modi looking to conclude the nuclear deal between India and Australia and a possible deal with Japan on the cards when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits in December, India seeks to garner enough support to lobby for a position in the NSG. China maybe the only country opposing India's inclusion but it has repeatedly denied these claims, while stating that India should sign the NPT so as to be included in the NSG.

Officials are also hopeful of being considered for the MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime), the Australian Group and the Wasenaar Arrangement. The MTCR, formed in 1987, is an informal and voluntary partnership of 34 nations to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying a 500kg payload for atleast 300 km. The Australia Group and Wasenaar Arrangement are similar groups for control on export of biological/chemical weapons and conventional arms respectively. This will be an important step towards inclusion of India in the global nuclear order.