Invest In India

Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a multinational body concerned with reducing nuclear proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that may be applicable to nuclear weapon development and by improving safeguards and protection on existing materials.

It was founded in 1974 in response to the Indian nuclear test earlier in that year. The test demonstrated that certain non-weapons specific nuclear technology could be readily turned to weapons development. Nations already signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) saw the need to further limit the export of nuclear equipment, materials or technology.

Highlights of the NSG deal with India:

• Could be a major contributor to our energy security
• Will provide 20,000 mw of electricity by 2020
• Opens door for nuclear cooperation with other countries
• India will enter the global mainstream of N-power
• Provides for full civil nuclear energy cooperation
• Provides for development of strategic reserve of nuclear fuel
• India doesn’t have to sign NPT or CTBT
• Does not affect India’s right to conduct nuclear tests.
• Will provide access to high technology denied for 30 years
• Will spur high-end manufacturing.

Some facts about the NSG:

• It is a 45-nation cartel that controls trade in “dual-use” nuclear fuel, materials and technology  to ensure they are applied only to civilian nuclear energy programs, not diverted into clandestine nuclear weapons work.
• The NSG was formed in reaction to India’s shock 1974 nuclear test explosion, using reactor technology provided by Canada in the 1950s supposedly for peaceful energy development.
• Group policy has been to do business only with countries belonging to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty — the only outsiders are India, Pakistan and Israel — and permitting “full-scope” inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

The NSG website says: “(We seek) to contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation of guidelines for nuclear exports and nuclear related exports. NSG guidelines are implemented by each participating government in accordance with its national laws and practices. Decisions on export applications are taken at the national level in accordance with national export licensing requirements.”
In 2002, NSG export controls were updated to help prevent the threat of nuclear terrorism as well.
NSG members are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States.
The cartel normally has one annual plenary meeting and decisions are made by consensus only. Members can also hold consultative sessions. The NSG has no permanent office and details of its deliberations are kept confidential.
The 2008-09 NSG chairman is Germany.