International Relations

KEY POINTS

Wassenaar Arrangement (WA)

·         It is an elite club of countries which subscribe to arms export controls, similar to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime.

·         The goal of this Arrangement is to promote transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies.

·         Member nations must ensure that transfers of these items do not contribute to the development or enhancement of military capabilities which undermine the goal.

·         In addition, the WA also seeks to prevent terror groups from acquiring these items.

Significance to India

·         India’s entry into the WA would enhance its credentials in the field of non-proliferation despite not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

·         As a non-signatory to the NPT, India had trouble accessing dual-use technology from member nations of these export control regimes, even after signing the nuclear deal with the United States.

·         ‘Dual-use’ refers to technology that can have peaceful and military applications.

·         Entry into these export-control regimes will give India better access to such critical technology in the defence and space sectors.

·         It is a big step forward in its quest for formal acceptance as a responsible nuclear power.

·         The Australia Group, which focuses on biological and chemical weapons, may be easier to crack given that China is not a member and as well as India is already a member in both MTCR and WA.

·         It is also expected to build up a strong case for India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) where China has been stonewalling India’s entry.

·         Meanwhile, India has to put more efforts to become a member of NSG, considering the fact that China is not a member in both MTCR & WA but a member in NSG.

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Please Review.