New Delhi, Jan 20 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday thanked Australia and other members of the elite 'Australia Group' for export control for supporting India's entry into it and said the development is a testimony of India's strong non-proliferation credentials.
In a series of tweets, Mr Modi wrote, "Over the last two years, India’s membership of MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement and (now) Australia Group reaffirms India's strong non-proliferation credentials and also our commitment to global peace and security".
India on Friday joined the Australia Group (AG) on following the completion of internal procedures for joining the elite Group giving it an edge to strengthen claim for membership in the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
"....I think our credentials have been established...as far as membership in NSG is concerned, we do remain engaged with all the countries who are members of the NSG," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar said. He also hoped "that India's credentials will be taken into account when a decision (on NSG) is taken".
The AG is a cooperative and voluntary group of countries working to counter the spread of materials, equipment and technologies that could contribute to the development or acquisition of chemical and biological weapons (CBW) by states or terrorist groups.
The group, initially consisted of 15 members. Now it has 43 members, including Australia, the European Commission, all 28 member states of the European Union, Ukraine, and Argentina.
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