India on Monday joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) as a full member and said its entry would be mutually beneficial to enhancing global non-proliferation norms “in missiles or drones
India on Monday joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) as a full member and said its entry would be mutually beneficial to enhancing global non-proliferation norms “in missiles or drones capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction”.
China is still seeking entry to the regime and it will be keenly watched by foreign policy observers whether India and the US use it as a bargaining chip for New Delhi to secure entry to the NSG.
The MTCR membership will enable India to buy high-end missile technology and also enhance its joint ventures with Russia. The aim of the MTCR is to restrict the proliferation of missiles, complete rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles and related technology for those systems capable of carrying a 500-kg payload for at least 300 km, as well as systems intended for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction.
Foreign secretary S. Jaishankar signed the instrument of accession to the MTCR in the presence of French ambassador-designate Alexandre Ziegler, Netherlands’ ambassador Alphonsus Stoelinga and Luxembourg chargé d’affaires Laure Huberty.
“India has joined the MTCR this morning... We would like to thank each of the 34 MTCR partners for their support for India’s membership,” a statement by the external affairs ministry said.
India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime comes days after it failed to get NSG membership due to stiff opposition from China and a few other countries.
