Nuclear Suppliers Group

Established in 1975, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) comprises 48 states that have voluntarily agreed to coordinate their export controls to non-nuclear-weapon states.
The NSG governs the transfers of civilian nuclear material and nuclear-related equipment and technology.
Full compliance with the obligations of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is a membership criteria to join NSG.
India has been trying, since 2008, to join the NSG, which would give India access to more sophisticated nuclear technology.
However, China has repeatedly blocked India’s entry into NSG as India is not a signatory to the NPT.
It should be noted that members are admitted to NSG only by consensus.

In a message aimed at China blocking India’s membership at the Nuclear Suppliers Group, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that India looks forward to joining the NSG, overcoming political impediments.

Related Information

About Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of disarmament.
It entered into force in 1970.
Its 190 states-parties are classified into two categories: nuclear-weapon states (NWS)—consisting of the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom—and non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS).
Under the treaty, the five NWS commit to pursue general and complete disarmament, while the NNWS agree to forgo developing or acquiring nuclear weapons.
Only four countries (South Sudan, India, Israel, and Pakistan) have not signed the treaty, and one country (North Korea) has signed and then withdrawn from the treaty.

Why didn’t India join?

The Treaty defines nuclear weapon states as those that had manufactured and detonated a nuclear explosive device prior to 1 January 1967.
Thus, the spirit of the NPT creates a divide between countries that did develop nuclear power before 1967 and those that didn’t develop nuclear power before 1967.
Being a signatory to NPT means that the party state will cease all development of nuclear weapons and will open doors for inspection of its nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The NPT, in India’s opinion, doesn’t explain the need for this distinction and loss of national sovereignty.

Reference

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