India on Friday joined the
Australia Group, saying the
membership will be mutually benefitcial.
The Ministry of External
Aairs (MEA) said India’s entry
into the group, which
aims to prevent proliferation
of biological and chemical
weapons, would ensure a
more secure world.
“The Australia Group decided
to admit India as its
43rd participant. India
would like to thank each of
the participants. Its entry
would be mutually benefi
cial and further contribute
to international security and
nonproliferation objectives,”
MEA spokesperson
Raveesh Kumar said, praising
the role of the former
head of the group Jane
Hardy.
Earlier, in a separate
statement, the Australia
Group said India’s membership
would help to counter
the “spread of materials,
equipment and technologies
that could contribute to the
development or acquisition
of chemical/biological weapons.”
Diplomats said the entry
is a show of support from
the international community
for India’s non proliferation
records.
“India’s entry into the
Australia Group shows our export controls and safeguards
for biological and
chemical agents, equipment and technologies
meet the benchmarks established
by the international
community,” said Rakesh
Sood, a former Special Envoy
of the Prime Minister for
Disarmament and
NonProliferation.
India joined the Missile
Technology Control Regime
(MTCR) in 2016 and the Wassenaar
Arrangement (WA)
last year.
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