The 9th round of the India-U.S. Strategic Security Dialogue was concluded on 13th March in Washington DC. The highlight of the talks is that:

• The U.S will help set up six nuclear power plants in India.
• The U.S also reaffirmed its support of India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

The NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group):

• The NSG is a group of countries that seek to prevent nuclear proliferation (rapid increase in nuclear weapon technology over the world).
• NSG monitors and controls the export of nuclear materials or nuclear technology.
• It is a 48-nation body. India is not a member of this group.
• US, UK, France, China and Russia – are five countries in the NSG that already own nuclear weapon technology. Other than China, the other 4 countries support India’s application to join.
• Unfortunately, a majority vote does not count, the complete consensus is required.

Why India is not in the NSG:

• Countries like China are blocking India’s entry into the group stating that India has refused to sign the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty).
• The NPT is a treaty to stop the spread of nuclear technology and fuel. All countries in the NSG have signed it.
• India maintains it will not sign the NPT for two stated reasons –
  • The NPT is for countries that had nuclear technology before 1967 (India had it after 1974).
  • India considers the NPT unfair. The NPT does not ask for the 5 original nuclear weapon states to give up nuclear weapons but it asks non-nuclear states to not have them.

Why several countries support India joining the NSG:

• In a major achievement in 2008, India convinced the U.S about being a responsible holder of nuclear weapons technology.
• It also highlighted that India’s energy requirements (electricity, fuel for large population) are stopping it from reducing pollution (like burning fossil fuels).
• Being on the NSG will help India get investments for civil nuclear power generation (nuclear technology for energy, not war).
• In 2008, the U.S relented and agreed to a civil nuclear deal with India (using nuclear technology for energy, not for war). The Indo-U.S Civil Nuclear Agreement was signed.
• The recent U.S decision to help India with 6 nuclear power plants is a result of the 2008 deal.
• 32 of 48 nations have supported India’s application to join the NSG. This reflects their confidence in India being a responsible nuclear-enabled country and their concern about global pollution.

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