Signing NPT not needed for Nuclear Suppliers Group membership: India
India has rejected China’s contention that it must sign the NPT to
get membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, saying France was included in
the elite group without signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
India’s arguments:
The NSG is an ad hoc export control regime and France, which was
not an NPT member for some time, was a member of the NSG since it respected
NSG’s objectives.
Background:
China has opposed India’s bid to get NSG membership on the ground
that it was yet to sign the NPT. It had said all the multilateral
non-proliferation export control regime including the NSG have regarded NPT as
an important standard for the expansion of the NSG. And hence, members of the
Nuclear Suppliers Group should be party to NPT.
About NSG:
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a 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.
- Interestingly, the NSG was set up in 1974 as a reaction to India’s nuclear tests to stop what it called the misuse of nuclear material meant for peaceful purposes.
- Currently, it has 48 members.
Once admitted, an NSG member state:
- Gets timely information on nuclear matters.
- Contributes by way of information.
- Has confirmed credentials.
- Can act as an instrument of harmonization and coordination.
- Is part of a very transparent process.
