NEW DELHI: With no consensus, India will have to wait longer to get into the Missile Technology Control Regime, with the plenary meeting in Rotterdam ending on Friday without taking any decision on New Delhi’s membership.
The outgoing Norwegian chair of MTCR Roald Næss tweeted on Friday evening, “Broad support for Indian membership in MTCR but regrettably no consensus yet. I remain optimistic”.
Since it was a closed door meeting, there are still no clear reports on why there was no consensus on India’s membership.
A public statement issued after the MTCR plenary meeting in Rotterdam, Netherlands stated, “Partners exchanged views on issues relating to future membership. Individual applications for membership were thoroughly discussed. The membership issue will continue to be on the agenda.”
Besides India, Latvia’s membership was also on the agenda.
Late Friday night, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that India’s application, which was submitted in June, was “received well and it remains under consideration”. The 29th plenary meeting of
“We are hopeful that MTCR discussions on this issue will conclude soon,” he said, adding “India’s membership of the MTCR and other export control regimes would further strengthen global non-proliferation objectives."
The 34-member group MTCR which was formed to curb the delivery system of missiles, is the first of four non-proliferation regimes that India aspires to become a member. The other three are the Australia Group, Wassenar Group and Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Since this is one of the last steps of the India-US nuclear deal, US had promised all help in pushing through India’s candidature.
"The US side affirms its support for India's membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime at its upcoming plenary, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and in the other global non-proliferation export control regimes,” said the joint statement after the recent meeting between External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State John Kerry in September.