India joins missile technology nations controlling global sales

NEW DELHI – India has joined an exclusive club of countries controlling exports in missile technology, just a day after bemoaning its exclusion from another elite group that governs international nuclear fuel and technology.

The Indian foreign secretary on Monday signed onto the Missile Technology Control Regime, aimed at preventing the unchecked proliferation of missiles and their delivery systems.

The foreign ministry thanked the other 34 members of the MTCR group for supporting its inclusion. India still hopes to secure support for joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group, despite strong objections from China.

Inclusion in the MTCR was seen as a next step for India in legitimizing its nuclear energy and missile programs after it conducted atomic tests in 1998 that alarmed the international community. Read more…