India could be part of elite anti-missile grouping next week

[Blue Marlin]

NEW DELHI: Barring an unpleasant last-minute surprise, India could be accepted as a member in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) next week. One of the world's top four non-proliferation regimes, the MTCR plenary will be held in Rotterdam where the Indian application for membership will be considered. The 34-nation grouping takes decisions by consensus.

Since India made a formal application for membership in summer this year, India has worked closely with key countries who have promised to support its membership. If India is accepted in the grouping it would be a huge fillip to its missile and space programmes, even allowing it to export its own technology to member countries. In recent years, MTCR has even assumed oversight regarding non-proliferation of UAVs - ironically, Pakistan, not a member of MTCR, has just developed its own armed drones which it has recently used on its own people.

Accession to MTCR is one of the leftover tasks of the India-US nuclear deal. The US had promised to support India's membership to all four - Wassenaar Arrangement, Nuclear Suppliers Group and Australia Group, along with MTCR. Initially, Indian diplomatic push was to bundle its membership to all four. The Indian thinking then was India could leverage its candidature all at once rather than lobby separately for all four. However, that thinking underwent a change and the MEA decided to approach all four regimes separately.

It was originally believed that Australia Group would be the easiest to get into. But India still has to harmonize some of its controls on chemicals etc to make the cut. Instead the government has worked hard to harmonize its export control lists, called SCOMET with MTCR regulations. In March 2015, Indian government put in a host of new items on the SCOMET list which would need prior permission before exports and invite strict oversight by government agencies. A second list on military items also served to harmonize export licensing of military stores, a key compliance demand for MTCR. Acceptance to MTCR might make it easier for India to access the other regimes, though no one is in any doubt about how difficult it would be for India to get into the NSG, where China remains opposed.

Between the PM, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and even President Pranab Mukherjee, the government has lobbied with all the members of the MTCR in the past year. Officials said Indians have been ready with answers to any question put to them by MTCR members. The US has worked closely as well, lobbying for India, the first time after the nuclear deal waiver at the NSG. In the recently concluded Strategic Dialogue between Swaraj and John Kerry, the joint statement noted, "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."

China is not a member of the MTCR but has promised to abide by the original 1987 Guidelines and Annexure, but not the subsequent revisions. China has also asked for membership, but China, like Pakistan, is believed to have lax export control systems.

Established in 1987, the MTCR aims to curb the spread of delivery systems like missiles which carry a minimum payload of 500 kg to a distance of a minimum of 300km.

su-39mki firing astra bvraam

source : India to be part of elite anti-missile grouping next week - The Times of India

 

[StormShadow]

ironically, Pakistan, not a member of MTCR, has just developed its own armed drones which it has recently used on its own people.

Lol..

 

[#hydra#]

What is the benefits of being a signatory in MTCR agreement, I think it's curse.

 

[GR!FF!N]

What is the benefits of being a signatory in MTCR agreement, I think it's curse.

nope..member of MTCR can share Missile and drone tech among themselves..

read this...

The US has supported India's entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) that would enable it to share sensitive missile technologies like armed drone with New Delhi.

US Supports India's Membership to Missile Technology Control Regime

just like US Reaper drone is in service of Italy,France,UK and Netherlands.

we're not sharing our missile tech with anyone,so why should it be a curse?

 

[Blue Marlin]

UPDATE:

Italy blocking India's entry into elite missile tech group MTCR, bargaining over marines issue

New Delhi: In a big setback for India, Italy is becoming a major roadblock in the nation's entry into an elite missile technology group called Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Sources said Italy has stated marines issue as the reason behind blocking India's entry into MTCR.

Italian marines Latorre and Salvatore Girone are facing trial of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012.

According to the sources, Italy expects India to go easy on the marines issue in lieu of support for MTCR.
According to the sources, Italy expects India to go easy on the marines issue in lieu of support for MTCR.

MTCR is an important platform for India to have access to niche missile technology, space technology.

The US has already assured support for India's entry into the group and a membership of MTCR will give India an edge over China.


In an effort to strengthen global non-proliferation and export control regimes, India and the US had on January 25 committed to continue to work towards India's phased entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the MTCR, the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group.

The decision to admit a new partner in the group is taken by consensus. There are high chances that India will become part of this elite group in annual plenary in October.

MTCR is an elite non-proliferation group of 34 countries that controls trade in missile and space technology. MTCR was created to curb spread of missile and unmanned delivery systems for nuclear weapons.


SOURCE:
Italy blocking India's entry into elite missile tech group MTCR, bargaining over marines issue: Sources - IBNLive

 

[PARIKRAMA]

1. What is the MTCR?
The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is an informal political understanding among states that seek to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology.

2. When was the MTCR established?
The regime was formed in 1987 by the G-7 industrialized countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the United States).

3. Who belongs to the MTCR?
There are currently 34 countries that are members (Partners) of the MTCR: Argentina (1993); Australia (1990); Austria (1991); Belgium (1990); Brazil (1995); Bulgaria (2004); Canada (1987); Czech Republic (1998); Denmark (1990); Finland (1991); France (1987); Germany (1987); Greece 1992); Hungary (1993); Iceland (1993); Ireland (1992); Italy (1987); Japan (1987); Luxemburg (1990); Netherlands (1990); New Zealand (1991); Norway (1990); Poland (1998); Portugal (1992); Republic of Korea (2001); Russian Federation (1995); South Africa (1995); Spain (1990); Sweden (1991); Switzerland (1992); Turkey (1997); Ukraine (1998); United Kingdom (1987); United States of America (1987). The date in brackets represents the initial year of membership.

4. What is the purpose of the MTCR?
The MTCR was initiated by like-minded countries to address the increasing proliferation of nuclear weapons by addressing the most destabilizing delivery system for such weapons. In 1992, the MTCR’s original focus on missiles for nuclear weapons delivery was extended to a focus on the proliferation of missiles for the delivery of all types of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), i.e., nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Such proliferation has been identified as a threat to international peace and security. One way to counter this threat is to maintain vigilance over the transfer of missile equipment, material, and related technologies usable for systems capable of delivering WMD.

5. What is the relationship between the MTCR and the UN?
While there is no formal linkage, the activities of the MTCR are consistent with the UN’s non-proliferation and export control efforts. For example, applying the MTCR Guidelines and Annex on a national basis helps countries to meet their export control obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1540.

6. Is the MTCR a treaty?
No. The MTCR is not a treaty and does not impose any legally binding obligations on Partners (members). Rather, it is an informal political understanding among states that seek to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology.

7. What are the main objectives of the MTCR?
The MTCR seeks to limit the risks of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by controlling exports of goods and technologies that could make a contribution to delivery systems (other than manned aircraft) for such weapons. In this context, the Regime places particular focus on rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles capable of delivering a payload of at least 500 kg to a range of at least 300 km and on equipment, software, and technology for such systems.

8. How does the MTCR achieve its objectives?
Export Controls The Regime rests on adherence to common export policy (the Guidelines) applied to an integral common list of items (the MTCR Equipment, Software, and Technology Annex.)

Meetings MTCR Partners regularly exchange information about relevant missile non-proliferation issues in the context of the Regime’s overall aims.

Dialogue and Outreach The MTCR Chair and MTCR Partners undertake outreach activities to non-Partners in order to keep them informed about the group's activities and to provide practical assistance regarding efforts to prevent the proliferation of WMD delivery systems.

9. What are the MTCR Guidelines?
The MTCR Guidelines are the common export control policy adhered to by the MTCR Partners, and to which all countries are encouraged to adhere unilaterally. The Guidelines define the purpose of the MTCR and provide the overall structure and rules to guide the member countries and those adhering unilaterally to the Guidelines.

10. What is the MTCR Annex?
The MTCR Annex is the Regime’s list of controlled items including virtually all key equipment, materials, software, and technology needed for missile development, production, and operation - that are controlled by MTCR Partners and adherents. The Annex is divided into two parts: Category I and Category II items.

11. How are Annex items controlled?
Consistent with the MTCR Guidelines, MTCR Partners and adherents are to implement license authorization requirements prior to export of items listed in the MTCR Annex.

12. Are there provisions to control non-Annex items?
In 2003, MTCR Partners amended the Guidelines to require all Partners to have catch-all export controls. These controls form the basis for controlling the export of items not included on a control list when they may be intended for use in connection with delivery systems for WMD other than manned aircraft. Additionally, consistent with the Guidelines, Partners are to exercise particular restraint in consideration of any items on the Annex or of any missiles (whether or not on the Annex) if the exporting government judges that they are intended to be used for WMD delivery – and such exports are to be subject to a strong presumption of denial.

13. What is the difference between MTCR Category I and Category II Items?
Category I items include complete rocket and unmanned aerial vehicle systems (including ballistic missiles, space launch vehicles, sounding rockets, cruise missiles, target drones, and reconnaissance drones), capable of delivering a payload of at least 500 kg to a range of at least 300 km, their major complete subsystems (such as rocket stages, engines, guidance sets, and re-entry vehicles), and related software and technology, as well as specially designed production facilities for these items. Pursuant to the MTCR Guidelines, exports of Category I items are subject to an unconditional strong presumption of denialregardless of the purpose of the export and are licensed for export only on rare occasions. Additionally, exports of production facilities for Category I items are prohibited absolutely.

Category II items include other less-sensitive and dual-use missile related components, as well as other complete missile systems capable of a range of at least 300 km, regardless of payload. Their export is subject to licensing requirements taking into consideration the non-proliferation factors specified in the MTCR Guidelines. Exports judged by the exporting country to be intended for use in WMD delivery are to be subjected to a strong presumption of denial.

14. Are exports to Partners treated differently than exports to non Partners?
The MTCR Guidelines do not distinguish between exports to Partners and exports to non-Partners. Moreover, the MTCR Partners have explicitly affirmed that membership in the Regime provides no entitlement to obtain technology from another Partner and no obligation to supply it. Partners are expected to exercise appropriate accountability and restraint in trade among Partners, just as they would in trade between Partners and non-Partners. Partners are bound by a “no-undercut” policy to consult each other before considering exporting an item on the list that has been notified as denied by another Partner pursuant to the MTCR Guidelines.

15. Are the MTCR’s Guidelines binding?
No – the MTCR is not a treaty and does not impose any legally binding obligations on Partners. The only activity prohibited absolutely by the Guidelines, to which all 34 Partner countries voluntarily subscribe, is the export of production facilities for Category I MTCR Annex items.

16. What obligations do Partners have?
There are no legally binding obligations imposed on MTCR Partners. However, Partners are expected to act responsibly and practice restraint with regard to exports of items that could contribute to the proliferation of missiles capable of delivering WMD and to abide by all consensus decisions of the Regime. They set the standard for responsible non-proliferation behaviour and help shape the international missile non-proliferation effort while conducting their missile non-proliferation policies in a manner consistent with the Regime's overall goals and activities. Partners also are expected to control all exports of equipment and technology controlled on the MTCR Annex according to the stipulations of the MTCR Guidelines.

17. How are export decisions taken?
Export licensing decisions are made by individual countries according to their national export control laws and regulations, and not as group. However, Partners regularly exchange information on relevant licensing matters in order to ensure consistency with the Regime’s overall non-proliferation goals.

18. How is compliance enforced?
Each individual Partner implements the MTCR Guidelines and Annex in accordance with national legislation and practice and on the basis of sovereign national discretion. The MTCR has no regime-wide compliance or verification provisions. When questions arise, Partners consult bilaterally to promote a common understanding of the issue.

19. What benefits do Partners get by becoming members of the MTCR?
Partners can play an active role in curbing the global missile non-proliferation threat. MTCR Partners participate in decision-making on the orientation and future of the MTCR, thereby setting the international standard for responsible missile non-proliferation behaviour and helping to guide the international missile non-proliferation effort. Partners also benefit from discussions and exchanges of information on licensing, interdiction, best practices, and cooperate to impede specific shipments of concern with regards to missile proliferation.

20. Can a country adhere to the Guidelines without joining the MTCR?
The MTCR Partners encourage all countries to observe the Guidelines as a contribution to international peace and security. Countries can apply the Guidelines on a national basis without being obligated to join the Regime.

21. Does the MTCR have an observer status?
No. However, Regime members encourage all countries to adhere unilaterally to the MTCR Guidelines and Annex.

22. When and how often do the MTCR Partners meet?
The MTCR s main meeting is the annual policy-level Plenary meeting, held to discuss and take decisions on all relevant Regime issues. Three Regime sub-groups hold meetings in conjunction with the annual Plenary - the Information Exchange (IE), the Licensing and Enforcement Experts Meeting (LEEM), and the Technical Experts Meetings (TEM). Additionally, there are periodic Reinforced Point of Contact (RPOC) and Monthly Point of Contact (POC) meetings.

23. Is there a central administrative body for the MTCR?
The MTCR has no formal secretariat. France serves as the Regime’s Point of Contact (POC). The POC receives and distributes all Regime documents. The POC also participates in outreach activities and hosts intersessional meetings.

24. What is the Reinforced Point of Contact (RPOC) Meeting?
The RPOC is the MTCR’s intersessional policy-level meeting. It is hosted by France and is normally held in Paris in April or May. RPOC meetings are used primarily to follow up on issues from the previous Plenary and plan for the next Plenary.

25. What is a Point of Contact (POC) Meeting?
POC meetings facilitate the exchange of information among Partners. They are regularly held in Paris, hosted by the French MTCR POC, and include the participation of Embassy Representatives of MTCR countries.

26. Who is the MTCR Chair? How are they chosen?
The MTCR Chairmanship rotates on an ad hoc basis. Normally the country that hosts the Plenary then serves as Chair for the ensuing year.

27. How are decisions made in the MTCR?
All MTCR decisions including decisions on membership require a consensus decision by all current Regime members.

28. How often does the MTCR meet with non-members?
The MTCR Partners engage in a robust outreach program to promote the Regime’s goals and encourage broad support for its activities. The Regime also uses its outreach efforts to encourage countries to unilaterally adhere to the MTCR Guidelines. In 2009, following the MTCR RPOC meeting, the Partners held a Technical Outreach Meeting (TOM) for non-Partners to make them aware of the changes to the MTCR Annex that had taken place at the 2007 and 2008 plenaries and to explain how these changes would affect licensing reviews. Fifteen non-MTCR countries participated in the TOM.

The Missile Technology Control Regime

 

[Abingdonboy]

UPDATE:

Italy blocking India's entry into elite missile tech group MTCR, bargaining over marines issue

New Delhi: In a big setback for India, Italy is becoming a major roadblock in the nation's entry into an elite missile technology group called Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Sources said Italy has stated marines issue as the reason behind blocking India's entry into MTCR.

Italian marines Latorre and Salvatore Girone are facing trial of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012.

According to the sources, Italy expects India to go easy on the marines issue in lieu of support for MTCR.
According to the sources, Italy expects India to go easy on the marines issue in lieu of support for MTCR.

MTCR is an important platform for India to have access to niche missile technology, space technology.

The US has already assured support for India's entry into the group and a membership of MTCR will give India an edge over China.


In an effort to strengthen global non-proliferation and export control regimes, India and the US had on January 25 committed to continue to work towards India's phased entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the MTCR, the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group.

The decision to admit a new partner in the group is taken by consensus. There are high chances that India will become part of this elite group in annual plenary in October.

MTCR is an elite non-proliferation group of 34 countries that controls trade in missile and space technology. MTCR was created to curb spread of missile and unmanned delivery systems for nuclear weapons.


SOURCE:
Italy blocking India's entry into elite missile tech group MTCR, bargaining over marines issue: Sources - IBNLive

Could Italy's nonsense really stop India from getting entry into this regime?

 

[PARIKRAMA]

According to a research paper named " India in the Missile Technology Control Regime: Prospects and Implications" by "Arka Biswas" under "Observer Research Foundation" states the following​

• After India recently applied for membership at the MTCR, a media commentary noted that “India's space and missile programme will gain from MTCR membership since it will get access to world-class technology”.
• This claimed benefit of MTCR membership, however, requires a more nuanced understanding. For instance, MTCR has established that its “guidelines do not distinguish between exports to Partners and exports to non-Partners”.
• MTCR further stresses that “membership in the Regime provides no entitlement to obtain technology from another Partner and no obligation to supply it”. It would thus be incorrect to assume that membership will by default provide India access to all available missile and space technologies.
• What MTCR membership could provide India, however, is access to certain items controlled by the MTCR, whose export is permitted if the regime and its members do not find the export contributing to a “project of concern.” As has been noted exports of Category I items are subject to the presumption of denial and are only allowed in exceptional cases.
• On the other hand, transfer of dual-use technologies and items covered under Category II are allowed if the export is deemed to not be contributing to proliferation of missile systems capable of delivering WMDs. Such exceptions and transfers are invariably linked to the understanding between the recipient state and the supplier state that is a member of the MTCR.
• As has also been highlighted, MTCR does not have a formal mechanism to enforce its guidelines on its members. It is therefore upto the supplier state to assess if the export of MTCR controlled items to the recipient state will contribute to a “project of concern” and if an exception to the presumption to deny Category I items can be made.
• If the recipient state were to get a membership in the MTCR, it will primarily be based on a political understanding among all MTCR members that the recipient state will not contribute to WMD proliferation.
• Inevitably, this political understanding will also reflect on each MTCR supplier state's assessment of any export to that recipient state. For instance, the US gives preference to some nations and entities over others for export of missile and related dual-use technologies, covered by the MTCR.
• The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), under the US Department of Commerce, issues an Entity List, which includes organisations and bodies from across the world.Any export of MTCR controlled items to the entities covered in the US Entity List are subject to end-user license.
• Since issuance of the end-user license for export of any MTCR controlled item is subject to a prospective supplier's sovereign right, it is upto the supplier state to determine on whom the end-user license requirement is applicable and how stringent the term ofthe end-user license should be.
• Following Obama's November 2010 announcement of the US commitment of bringing India into the MTCR, along with other three export control bodies, all of the Indian defence and space related entities were removed from the US Entity List in January 2011.
• Some Indian defence and space entities, however, continue to remain in the similar entity lists of other MTCR members. Once India becomes a member of the MTCR, the probability of it receiving higher preference—and thus exception to import MTCR controlled items from other MTCR members—will significantly increase.
• In essence, MTCR membership does not translate into India getting free access to all available space and missile technologies. However, with India's entry into MTCR, the possibility of it availing 'license exceptions', for instance under US export control regulations and 'general export authorisations' under EU regulations, would ease the access to MTCR controlled high technology and dual-use items.
• Another benefit of MTCR membership is that it will allow New Delhi to “play an active role in curbing the global missile non-proliferation threat”. India, as a responsible nuclear power, has on a number of occasions expressed its strong commitment to preventing proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems. Its entry into the MTCR and the other three export control bodies will allow New Delhi to live up to that commitment.
• India will also get to “participate in decision-making on the orientation and future of the MTCR, thereby setting the international standard for responsible missile non-proliferation behaviour and helping to guide the international missile nonproliferation effort”.
• At the same time, India's entry into the MTCR will be beneficial for the regime. Bringing India in can help strengthen the regime in two ways.
  • First, New Delhi can help universalise the norms of missile nonproliferation and motivate non-adherents to bring their export control practices to the levels of the MTCR.
  • Second, it can help MTCR improve its guidelines and Annex, particularly in respects where Indian controls, as former Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai notes, are more stringent than those of MTCR. Including India in the MTCR will also allow the regime and its members to ensure that, as a major potential supplier of missile and space technologies, India will be subject to the same rules and guidelines as other similar countries.
• As India develops and produces items covered by the MTCR and gradually moves up the global production and supply chains, it will be in the interest of MTCR and the global nonproliferation architecture to subject India's exports to the same framework as other major supplier countries.

 

[Dragon4]

Membership
As with all MTCR decisions, the decision to admit a new partner is taken by consensus. In making membership decisions, partners tend to consider whether a prospective new member would strengthen international non proliferation efforts, demonstrates a sustained and sustainable commitment to non proliferation, has a legally based effective export control system that puts into effect the MTCR Guidelines and procedures, and administers and enforces such controls effectively. The Regime’s dialogue with prospective partners is conducted through the MTCR Chair, visits to capitals by teams comprised of representatives of four MTCR partners and bilateral exchanges. The group does not have an observer category.

So i think Italy can keep on whining.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Wow that was so quick by BJP it took just one year. Next could be Nuclear and UN elite group.

Lets kick some Italians butt

Blue marine Italys reservation could be washed away as it's based on personal view not any merits for stopping India. We owned it

“no power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come.”-Victor Hugo (as Cited by Dr Manmohan Singh)

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Lol if Italy does succeed to bring the consensus to a halt by either delaying which is tough anyways or deny the membership, i am betting Marines getting hanged and Italian ambassador screwed by Supreme Court. Italy can ask our diplomats and accord them persona non granta, and indian can quickly reciprocate the same to italy and they can close the embassy..

Unfortunately a nearly defunct economy like Italy whose financial position is just a bit better than Greece cannot afford to piss all of Euro and USA. So i am sure these murmurs are actually a faint attempt to see if India panics. Unfortunately the present government is a bit different from previous.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Lol if Italy does succeed to bring the consensus to a halt by either delaying which is tough anyways or deny the membership, i am betting Marines getting hanged and Italian ambassador screwed by Supreme Court. Italy can ask our diplomats and accord them persona non granta, and indian can quickly reciprocate the same to italy and they can close the embassy..

Let's not overstate things, the Indian judiciary is entirely separate to the political sphere so no such moves would be made regardless of Indo-Italian ties.

You are right to point out that Italy is in no position to interfere with such a consensus given its economic fragility and the whims of others (US, France, UK etc) who will all be pushing for this.

 

[illusion8]

UPDATE:

Italy blocking India's entry into elite missile tech group MTCR, bargaining over marines issue

New Delhi: In a big setback for India, Italy is becoming a major roadblock in the nation's entry into an elite missile technology group called Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Sources said Italy has stated marines issue as the reason behind blocking India's entry into MTCR.

Italian marines Latorre and Salvatore Girone are facing trial of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012.

According to the sources, Italy expects India to go easy on the marines issue in lieu of support for MTCR.
According to the sources, Italy expects India to go easy on the marines issue in lieu of support for MTCR.

MTCR is an important platform for India to have access to niche missile technology, space technology.

The US has already assured support for India's entry into the group and a membership of MTCR will give India an edge over China.


In an effort to strengthen global non-proliferation and export control regimes, India and the US had on January 25 committed to continue to work towards India's phased entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the MTCR, the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group.

The decision to admit a new partner in the group is taken by consensus. There are high chances that India will become part of this elite group in annual plenary in October.

MTCR is an elite non-proliferation group of 34 countries that controls trade in missile and space technology. MTCR was created to curb spread of missile and unmanned delivery systems for nuclear weapons.


SOURCE:
Italy blocking India's entry into elite missile tech group MTCR, bargaining over marines issue: Sources - IBNLive

Flimsy grounds - the case is totally unrelated to MTCR, it's not as if the marines are innocent and they are being held on a false case. The most that can happen would be ...1. Italy gets laughed at..or 2. other signatories ask India to explain it's stand on the marines.

 

[GR!FF!N]

Flimsy grounds - the case is totally unrelated to MTCR, it's not as if the marines are innocent and they are being held on a false case. The most that can happen would be ...1. Italy gets laughed at..or 2. other signatories ask India to explain it's stand on the marines.

The case is now getting fought at the International Tribunal on Law of the Sea,so it is not like we're imposing wrong judgement to them..Marines case has nothing to do with MTCR.

 

[egodoc222]

Storm shadow

Predator