India joins Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

India today became thirty fifth nation to join the elite Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) as a full member. This comes a big celebration as India when it had made attempt to join the group in October last year was not successful.

Bolstering the non-proliferation agenda! In a signal move, India joins the Missile Technology Control Regime today pic.twitter.com/RrEUwxOgOV

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 27, 2016

On 9th of October last year India had got broad support for the membership of MTCR but it could not gain the consensus that was required to gain membership into the then 34-member nation group.

Foreign Secretary Jaishankar receives MTCR membership papers from Envoys of France, Netherlands and Luxembourg pic.twitter.com/5p9AordAp6

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 27, 2016

To all those who are writing off India's attempt to join Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), this may be a positive news.

Friendship between Barack Obama and Narendra Modi:

It is said that from the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office he has been building strong friendship with the US President Barack Obama. This has resulted in the US taking upon itself the responsibility to ensure that India gets membership of elite groups like MTCR and NSG.

Here it is worth noting that NSG was formed by the US as a measure against India after the 1974 nuclear test. Worth noting here is also the fact that China is not part of MTCR.

India stands to gain:

The entry to MTCR will help India in multiple ways. The biggest beneficiary will be ISRO which will now be able to access the restricted high-end technologies which can be used to develop cryogenic engines that will help it in enhancing space exploration.

The entry to MTCR will also enable India to sell cruise missile BrahMos to countries like Vietnam that will make India a big name in arms selling countries.

India now will be able to buy Arrow II theatre missile defence interceptor from Israel. India wasnot allowed to buy this till now as it was not MTCR member. India needs Missile defence interceptor to defend itself against Pakistani or Chinese missiles.

India will now be able to buy drones for surveillance from the US. This will help India fight terrorism. Also entry into MTCR will be a boost to Make in India as now India is free to develop technology that will contribute to the success of Make in India.

About MTCR:

MTCR was founded by seven nations Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Great Britain, and the United States in 1987. The other member nations apart from India in alphabetical order are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Czeck Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungry, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and Ukraine.

MTCR's goal:

MTCR is an informal and voluntary group of 35 member nations now. It was set up with an aim to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying a 500 kilogram of payload for at least 300 kilo meters.

MTCR's successes:

MTCR's success can be said to be the fact that since its establishment the group has been able to slow down or stop altogether ballistic missile programmes set up by many countries. The countries that has slowed down or stopped their missile programmes are: Brazil, South Africa, Taiwan, Poland, Czech Republic etc.