India in MTCR, US backs NSG bid
Modi, Obama agree on 6 N- reactors PM backs US on climate pact
Washington, June 7: US President Barack Obama on Tuesday supported India’s candidature for membership of the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group ( NSG) as he discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ways to take bilateral ties to new heights. The meeting came as members of the Missile Technology Control Regime ( MTCR) on Tuesday agreed to admit India, diplomats with direct knowledge of the matter said.
During his remarks to the media, Mr Obama said they discussed progress made in the civil nuclear agreement. The two leaders welcomed the start of preparatory work on six nuclear reactors in India, a key step in closing the first deal stemming from the US- India civil nuclear accord struck over a decade ago. A joint US- India statement said India and the US Export- Import Bank intend to work together towards a competitive financing package for the project and will work to finalise contractual agreements by June 2017. “Once completed, the project would be among the largest of its kind, fulfilling the promise of the US-India civil nuclear agreement and demonstrating a shared commitment to meet India’s growing energy needs while reducing reliance on fossil
fuels,” the joint statement said. Addressing the media jointly with Mr Modi after over hour- long talks at the White House, President Obama said it was natural for India and the US, the two biggest democracies, to “deepen and broaden” their partnership. Mr Modi said the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, particularly ways to take bilateral economic ties to new heights. The other issues discussed by them included terrorism, clean energy, climate change, regional security and cyber security. “I indicated support to India being a part of NSG,” the US President said amid opposition by China to such a move. Mr Obama underlined that India needs technology which is critical for its progress and prosperity.
Mr Modi later said, “I am thankful for the help and support that my friend President Obama has extended with regard to membership in MTCR and NSG.”
Diplomats with direct knowledge of the matter of India entering the MTCR said a deadline for members of the 34- nation group to object to India’s admission had expired on Monday without any raising objections. Under this “silent procedure”, India’s admission follows automatically, diplomats from four MTCR member nations told Reuters on condition of anonymity. No formal meeting is required for India to complete its entry into the group.
Admission to MTCR opens the way for India to buy high- end missile technology, also making more realistic its aspiration to buy surveillance drones such as the Predator, made by General Atomics. India makes a supersonic cruise missile, the BrahMos, in a joint venture with Russia that both countries hope to sell to third countries, a development that would make India a significant arms exporter for the first time. Membership of MTCR would require India to comply with rules such as a maximum missile range of 300 km that seek to prevent arms races from developing. Italy had objected to admitting India but, after an unrelated bilateral dispute was resolved, did not object this time within a 10- day deadline after the group’s chair, the Netherlands, wrote to members suggesting that India be welcomed.