Relevance:
India will officially assume the chairmanship of Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) on January 1, 2023.
About Wassenaar Arrangement:
- It is a Multilateral Export Control Regime (MECR) that works to promote transparency and responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use (peaceful & military) goods and technologies through regular exchanges of information among its members.
- Established – 1996
- It is a voluntary export control regime consisting of 42 members.
- India joined WA in 2017.
- Secretariat: Vienna, Austria
- Wassenaar Arrangement Plenary –
- It is the decision-making body composed of representatives of all Participating States
- Meeting: Annually.
- Plenary Chair: Annual rotation (2021 – Hungary, 2022 – Ireland)
- All Plenary decisions are taken by consensus.
About Multilateral Export Control Regime (MECR):
- They are voluntary and non-binding agreements.
- It prevents proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) which includes nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological or other weapon.
- Other regimes under MECR –
- Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG), 1975:
- Prevents nuclear proliferation by implementing guidelines for nuclear and nuclear-related exports.India is not member of NSG.
- Ensures that exports do not contribute to development of chemical or biological weapons.43 members including India and EU.
- Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), 1987:
- Prevent proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of delivering WMD.It is not legally- binding treaty.35 members including India.
- China is not member of MTCR.
- Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG), 1975:
