India 'clears final hurdle to join Missile Technology Control Regime'

NEW DELHI: The members of the Missile Technology Control Regime, a key anti-proliferation grouping, have agreed to admit India, diplomats said, in a win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he meets President Barack Obama in Washington on Tuesday The diplomats, with direct knowledge of the matter, said a deadline for the members of the 34-nation group to object to India's admission had expired on Monday. Under this so-called 'silent procedure', India's admission follows automatically.The major breakthrough comes days after India announced that it is subscribing to 'The Hague Code of Conduct' against ballistic missile proliferation, which is considered to be complementary to the missile technology control regime ( MTCR ).India had applied for its membership last year.But it was facing strong opposition from a few member countries of the MTCR where decisions are based on consensus.The Obama administration has strongly backed India's membership into MTCR and three other export control regime — Australia Group, Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement.Established in April 1987, the voluntary MTCR aims to limit the spread of ballistic missiles and other unmanned delivery systems that could be used for chemical, biological, and nuclear attacks.The MTCR regime urges its 34 members, which include most of the world's key missile manufacturers, to restrict their exports of missiles and related technologies capable of carrying a 500-kilogram payload at least 300 kilometers or delivering any type of weapon of mass destruction.Since 2008 India has been one of the five countries that are unilateral adherents to the MTCR.After MTCR's announcement, India and the US are expected to fast-track their discussion on sale of predator series of unmanned aircraft for the Indian military.The Predator drone, which recently eliminated the Taliban leader in Afghanistan, is the preferred tool of the CIA.Membership into MTCR is a huge boost for India's ability to procure this capability.