• The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a transnational body comprised of nuclear supplier countries.
• India looks forward to joining the NSG, says External Affairs Minister.
• It aim to control the proliferation of nuclear weapons by curbing the export of nuclear weapons development materials and related technology.
• It seeks to improve the existing safeguards on existing nuclear materials.
• The NSG was formed in the wake of the nuclear tests conducted by India, Pokhran-I (Smiling Buddha), in May 1974 which proved that certain non-weapons nuclear technology could be used to develop nuclear weapons.
• The group had its first meeting in November 1975.
• A series of meetings held in London produced agreements on export guidelines.
• Although initially there were only 7 countries as members, there are 48 participating governments as of 2017, which include the five nuclear weapon states US, UK, France, China, and Russia.
• It is not a formal organization, and its guidelines are not binding.
• Decisions, including on membership, are made by consensus.
• India is not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
• The main reason for this is said to be that India is not a party to the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
• It was in May 2016 that India formally applied for the NSG membership but was denied the membership as a joint decision by the other countries.

Model Question :

Q. With reference to India’s nuclear technology, which of the following statements are correct?

1. India along with China and Pakistan are not members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
2. Pokhran-I in 1974 was India’s first Nuclear test.
3. India is not a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, 1968.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer : B

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