India becomes full member of Missile Technology Control Regime

Days after failing to get entry into the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) following stiff opposition from China and a few other countries, India on Monday joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) as a full member.

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar signed the document of accession into MTCR in the presence of Ambassadors of France, The Netherlands and Luxembourg in the national capital.

Ambassador-designate of France Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India Alphonsus Stoelinga and Luxembourg's Deputy Head of Mission to India Laure Huberty were present on the occasion.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup yesterday said New Delhi had applied for membership of the MTCR last year, adding all the procedural formalities have been completed.

The MTCR membership will enable India to buy high-end missile technology and also enhance its joint ventures with Russia.

The aim of the MTCR is to restrict the proliferation of missiles, complete rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles and related technology for those systems capable of carrying a 500 kilogramme payload for at least 300 kilometres as well as systems intended for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction.

Significantly, China, which opposed India's entry into the 48-nation NSG at the recently-concluded Seoul plenary, is not a member of the 34-nation MTCR.