Wassenaar Arrangement News

The Australia Group on January 19, 2018, had admitted India as the 43rd member. 

PM Modi on Saturday said India's entry into the elite nuclear clubs, including Australia Group, has reaffirmed India's commitment to global peace. India had on Friday gained entry into the AG, an important non-proliferation regime which seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons. After the MTCR and the Wassenaar Arrangement, the membership in another of the four major export control regimes is expected to give India a leg-up in its bid to secure a berth in the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group.

In a huge boost to its stand in non proliferation, India on Friday joined the Australia Group, an informal group of countries to help member countries identify the exports and ensure they do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons.

China has played down the significance of India's entry into the export control regime Wassenaar Arrangement.

An entry into the Wassenaar Arrangement is expected to facilitate high technology tie-ups with Indian industry and ease access to high-tech items for the country's defence and space programs, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

India on Thursday became a member of the Wassenaar Arrangement, that controls the global trade of conventional weapons and dual-use goods and technologies.

Last year, India gained entry into the Missile Technologies Control Regime (MTCR), which paved way for it to get critical missile technologies and also export its missiles.