Why India is not a member of the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG)?

One of the most important topics that an IAS aspirant should know is, ‘why is India not a member of the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG)’? There are several subject areas that an IAS aspirant needs to know. Today you will get to know everything about Nuclear Supplier Group and why India is not a part of it.

know everything about Nuclear Supplier Group, and why India is not a part of it.

know everything about Nuclear Supplier Group, and why India is not a part of it.

What is the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG)? 

Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) was established in 1975. It comprises 48 states that aim to avoid nuclear proliferation. It is done by managing and controlling the export of certain materials which are used to create nuclear weapons. Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) restricts all the nuclear material, and nuclear-related equipment, and technology.

The participants of the group 

There are 48 states that aim to avoid nuclear proliferation. They are,

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • China
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech
  • Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain, Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • The United Kingdom
  • The United States

What is Aim of NSG? 

The main motive of the Nuclear Supplier Group is to prevent nuclear proliferation by restricting nuclear exports. It is to avoid nuclear terrorism and to maintain peace among the nations. To get assurance that the imports of nuclear are not to use them to develop weapons, NSG members forgo a trade with the governments.

Safeguards

The members need to check whether the exportation of nuclear is carried safely.

  • Maintaining all the terms and conditions.
  • While exporting nuclear, it should have physical protection
  • Should have non-proliferation
  • No sensitive items that can lead to proliferation

Reasons why India is a member of Nuclear Supplier Group

India got oppositions from many countries like China, Ireland, and more because India has not signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. There are many other causes, why India is not a member of the group. Some of the causes are mentioned below.

India has not signed the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) 

NPT was forced in the year 1970. NPT is an international treaty, and the main motive behind it to restrict the use of nuclear weapons and its other equipment. India is not the only one that did not sign the Nonproliferation Treaty. Along with India, two more countries like Pakistan and Israel too did not sign the Treaty.

There are some reasons why India did not sign the Treaty. Firstly, because according to NPT, the ‘nuclear weapons states’ which tested devices before the year 1967 can be a part of the group. This fact implies that India can never become a member of the Nuclear Supplier Group.

Secondly, China restricted India from signing the Treaty. China, along with some of the other nations like South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, Austria, and Ireland, did not allow India to be part of the Nuclear Supplier Group. Initially, China showed that it wanted India to sign the Nonproliferation Treaty to get into NSG. It pretended that it wanted to have a non-discriminatory criterion for the countries who haven’t signed the NPT can join NSG. But it was just a show-off because it wanted to include its close ally, Pakistan.

But unfortunately, Pakistan had no credentials that match to be a part of the group. India is much deserving of joining the group, as over the years, India is giving a lot of effort to become a part of the group. India has been committed to IAEA safeguards and also took various steps that proved that India obeys NPT and NSG guidelines.

Some of the events that are related to nuclear supply

In the year 1974, India conducted its first Nuclear test called ‘Pokhran-1.’

In 1998, India conducted the second Nuclear Test called ‘Operation Shakti.’

The nuclear powers admitted that NPT is not enough to stop the spreading of nuclear weapons. For this reason, NSG came into being in the year 1974.

According to NSG guidelines, states who did not sign NPT cannot become the member of NSG. This implies that India can never become a part of the group.

Being obedient to NPT and NSG guidelines, NSG still did not include India.

Finally, India applied for the NSG membership in the year 2016.

Why is it important for India to become a part of the Nuclear Supplier Group?

Membership will allow India to access state-of-the-art technology. It will help them to manufacture nuclear equipment. That will enhance the economic growth in the country. According to INDC, under the Paris Climate Agreement, we have committed to reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. Instead, we will acquire 40% of energy from renewable sources. That is only possible when we will be able to produce nuclear powers.

There are many factors that are in favor of India and support its membership to NSG like, France too got the membership without signing the NPT. India is committed to the guidelines of the NPT and NSG, and many more. These factors enhance the chance of India to get a membership which will make India a better country.

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