Question : NSG Membership

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of efforts made by India for joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG);

(b) whether India was unable to join NSG and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) the details of countries who supported and those opposed India’s membership to NSG including the reasons for their opposition;

(d) steps taken by the Government to address the issue and the future plan chalked out by the Government in this regard; and

(e) the details of benefits likely to accrue to India on securing NSG membership?

THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)


(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.



STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 42 REGARDING “NSG MEMBERSHIP” FOR ANSWER ON 20.07.2016

India submitted an application for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) on 12 May 2016 reflecting the progress in its engagement with the NSG that began in 2004. The application was preceded by extensive technical-level outreach with the NSG in Vienna. Government also reached out at the senior official and political level to all NSG members in their capitals.

The NSG’s annual Plenary meeting in Seoul (June 23-24, 2016) discussed India’s membership but concluded without a consensus decision on the matter. India is not a member of the NSG and, therefore, not privy to the Group’s internal discussions. However, it is understood that while no nation explicitly opposed India’s membership, one country raised procedural objections ostensibly on grounds of India’s non-NPT status. A few other countries raised issues regarding the process for India’s participation in the NSG. The broad sentiment was to take the matter forward. Consultations on the issue of membership are ongoing within the NSG.

Government continues to engage with all NSG members for an early decision on India’s application.

It is important for us to be part of the “rule making” in the NSG rather than be in a position of “rule taking”. Membership of the NSG would enable India to have enhanced and uninterrupted access to nuclear technology, fuel and materials required for its expanding civil nuclear programme. It would create a predictable environment for the large investments required for setting up nuclear power plants in India, inter alia, to meet India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) pledge of 40% of its power capacity coming from non-fossil sources by 2030.