India and NSG

The inception of NSG

·        NSG was invented post India’s nuclear technology demonstration test of 1974.

·        If India is given  the membership of NSG,that too without it signing NPT, then its whole objective and fundamentals will be diluted.

Effect of being its member

·        prestige,

·        nuclear tech and fuel needs,

·        export its own nuclear tech,

·        But, some say the membership is only symbolic in nature as India already secured a NSG waiver in 2008 which serves the aforesaid interests

Pessimism

·        India has failed to secure a permanent UNSC seat and admission to APEC

·        Opposition from China and others. Infact only 32/48 members of NSG support India’s membership

·        Unrealistic expectations as membership can only be achieved when all 48 agree

Optimism about the deal among some diplomats

·        In 2008, India secured a NSG waiver

·        We need to adhere to subtle diplomacy to achieve goals wrt NSG 

Why India should get NSG membership?

·        Unblemished non proliferation record

·         inclination to non discriminatory disarmament

·        Indian export regulations already comply

·        MTCR membership secured

·        voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing

·        no first use policy

·        genuine energy needs

China’s own behaviour with regard to international obligations

·        Has improved its nuclear arsenal after joining NPT and NSG, issue wrt North Korea and Pakistan

Limitations of NSG

·        Cant curtail members nuclear weapons program.

·        At best, the NSG can try and become more effective in preventing further horizontal proliferation among the NPT non-nuclear armed states.