NSG or better we can call it as Nuclear Suppliers Group. Now looking at the history the group, it was mainly formed in 1974 after India conducted its first atomic bomb test. Yes, in the wake of growing nuclear powers around the world. This had firmly established into the minds of Nuclear powers that nuclear material and technology that can be used for peaceful purpose can also be used for making nuclear bombs. Series of meetings happened but nothing constructive came out of it until 1991. Currently 48 countries are members of this group. Looking to make the nuclear weapons technology more secured and not letting it fall in wrong hands the group laid out some guidelines.
Nuclear transfer guidelines have made the fundamental principle that nuclear technology to all non-nuclear state should follow the strict guidelines of Trigger list. The list is mainly aguideline to be followed for nuclear transfer control on the materials which can be used for nuclear weapons and also control on the retransfers. The second rule laid the guidelines for the transfer of nuclear related dual use equipment, software and materials. This all looks quite complex but trust me it’s as simple as we see it.
The main reason you become a part of NSG is that then you have a power for nuclear technology transfer and even the material, without any restrictions from the super powers of the world. For India it means that India could now import uranium for electricity production more easily and can even seek the technology for the nuclear programs from the other member nation. India along with other six nations is non-signatory members of NSG which means no International body has control over our nuclear program. The other members include Sudan, Israel and Pakistan now North Korea and Iran. Now the history tells us when the NSG meet countries likeUnited States, Russia, Britain, China and France, they were recognized as nuclear states, and all other were non-nuclear states, which was signed by 191 countries treaty that they will stop all the nuclear programs. India at that time felt dismantling nuclear arms can be big security concern as any untoward incidence happens in the future.
Now let’s see why some countries are especially looking to block India’s entry into the NSG members. Looking at the past history with China it seems like it is inevitable, two superpowers in the same region can cause lot of tension and it has been a big issue for decades. This time though we went one step ahead with sending foreign secretary to China to favor India for NSG. The plan seemed to have backfired drastically making Chinese media aware how desperate we are for the membership. Even our other friends like Brazil, Switzerland, Australia, and NewZealand opposed India’s bid. The news had surfaced that 10 nations had opposed India’s bid for NSG. Now these small powers feel that India has not signed the NSG’s Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has acquired these nuclear weapons. They feel that getting a backdoor direct entry for India as a member without India signing NPT is morally wrong. They all have kept their nuclear programs a side and looked for peaceful resort.
Now coming to India’s bid. China felt that if India gets a breath in NSG, then why not Pakistan or Iran, both have not signed the NPT and have nuclear weapons in hand. Looking at NSG I don’t think it has the spin to stop if one sees to acquire a nuclear weapon, it can only hold onto the restrictions of all the member nations. Iran has acquired in spite of pressure from America and International restrictions. The Middle East looks like the most unstable place on earth with Israel and Iran looking to lock horns. Even India and Pakistan have not signed the NPT even though no first use rule is passed. Tension still looks real along the border. With North Korea claiming it has both Nuclear and hydrogen bomb, a country which not even has a proper university. It looks like China and Pakistan has helped it lot, so where does the credibility of NSG go after this.
