India today joined the Australia Group export control regime, an informal forum which seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons.
The inclusion is expected to raise India’s stature in the field of non-proliferation and help in acquiring critical technologies.
India has managed entry into Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement and Australia Group despite not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Australian High Commissioner to India Harinder Kaur Sidhu in a tweet welcomed India as the 43rd member of the Group. She said, the group is looking forward to work together to strengthen the collective efforts against the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons.
India thanked Australia Group participants for inducting it into export control regime, after MTCR and Wassenaar Arrangement. Briefing media in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar said India’s entry into the AG will be mutually beneficial and further contribute to international security and non-proliferation objectives. He also thanked Ambassador Jane Hardy of Australia, former Chair of the Australia Group, for her role in facilitating India’s accession to the Group.
On a media query, Mr Kumar said, India remain engaged with several nations on the matter of India’s membership in Nuclear Suppliers’ Group.
On recent ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammu sector, the spokesperson said India will strongly retaliate Pakistan’s ceasefire violations. Mr Kumar said Pakistan should take action against Hafiz Saeed and should not make flimsy excuses to save him. He said, Saeed has been designated as global terrorist and wondered how many more evidences Pakistan want to take action against him.
On the issue of doklam, Mr Kumar said India is keeping constant vigil at Doklam and since the disengagement of troops of India and China, there has been no development at the face-off site.
