The P5 countries, forming the backbone of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), recently addressed pressing issues of nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and peaceful nuclear energy utilization. At the center of these diversions is India’s potential admission into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a group of nuclear supplier countries that seek to contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Introduction to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
Established in response to India’s 1974 nuclear tests, the NSG aims to ensure nuclear commerce doesn’t inadvertently result in increased nuclear weaponry. A total of 48 governments participate in this group, with the European Commission acting as an observer. A significant event in Indian nuclear history was when the NSG granted India, a non-signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a ‘clean waiver’ from its rules in 2008. This waiver enabled India to engage in nuclear trade, leading to significant collaborations such as the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal.
Hindrances Delaying India’s NSG Bid
NSG operates by consensus and all its current members are signatories to the NPT. However, China demands the ‘compulsory’ signing of NPT for NSG membership. Moreover, China’s reluctance to differentiate between India and Pakistan, which has a documented history of nuclear proliferation, hampers India’s progress.
Significance of NSG Membership For India
Membership in the NSG would provide India access to cutting-edge nuclear technology from its members. This access is paramount to India’s commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement, which mandates that 40% of India’s energy must come from renewable and clean sources by 2030.
Relationship Between India and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
The NPT is an international treaty aimed at preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology, promoting peaceful nuclear energy use, and furthering disarmament. Despite not signing the NPT due to its discriminatory nature, India has a strong track record of adhering to both the NPT and Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), even as a non-signatory. Coupled with India’s commitments on nuclear non-proliferation under the NSG waiver in 2008, this history significantly strengthens India’s bid for NSG membership.
| Fact | Explanation |
|---|---|
| NSG Established Year | 1974 |
| Number of NSG Members | 48 Countries |
| India’s Clean Waiver Year | 2008 |
| Obstacle to India’s NSG Membership | NPT Signing is Compulsory |
| Benefit of NSG Membership for India | Access to Cutting-Edge Nuclear Technology |
Pelindaba Treaty and Its Impact on India
The Pelindaba Treaty established a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Africa and prevents strategic minerals from being exported freely. The treaty restricts members from entering into bilateral agreements with countries who are non-signatories of the NPT. Namibia publicly criticized this restriction in 2016 for disallowing it to trade uranium with India, due to India’s non-signatory status with the NPT.
India’s Self-Imposed Nuclear Doctrine
Despite having conducted nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998, India has always maintained its commitment to peaceful nuclear energy use. To assuage global concerns about its nuclear program, India formulated a comprehensive nuclear doctrine, which espouses maintenance of credible minimum nuclear deterrence, no first use policy, and commitment to global verifiable and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament. Adherence to these tenets further bolster India’s credibility for NSG membership.