Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)

Definition

A group of nuclear-supplier countries that seeks to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment, and technology that can be used to make nuclear weapons.

Key points

• It was set up in 1974 in response to India's first nuclear test (the 1974 Pokhran "Smiling Buddha" peaceful nuclear explosion), specifically to control nuclear exports.
• It is a voluntary, consensus-based group of supplier nations; decisions require the agreement of all members.
• In 2008 the NSG granted India a special waiver, allowing India to engage in civil nuclear commerce despite not being a party to the NPT, which followed the India-US civil nuclear deal.
• India has applied for full NSG membership, but its entry has not been achieved, largely due to opposition (notably from China) linked to India not signing the NPT.
• It is one of the four major export-control regimes; India is a member of the other three (MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement, Australia Group) but not the NSG.

Why it matters for CAPF

The NSG's origin in India's 1974 test, the 2008 waiver, and India's stalled membership bid are frequently asked international-relations and India current-affairs items.

Common confusion

The NSG controls nuclear material and technology; do not confuse it with the IAEA (which applies safeguards) or with the NPT itself. India received an NSG waiver in 2008 but is still not a member, unlike in the MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement, and Australia Group.

Related concepts

concept nuclear non proliferation treaty, concept missile technology control regime, concept wassenaar arrangement, concept australia group

Parent note

international organisations and india