Article Posted on : - Oct 12, 2015

A file photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Missile Technology Control Regime on Friday concluded its meeting in the Netherlands without taking a decision on India's membership even as New Delhi said its inclusion would further strengthen global non- proliferation objectives.

The grouping concluded its meeting in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, without deciding on India's bid to gain entry into the voluntary association of 34 countries favouring non-proliferation of unmanned delivery systems capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.

"India has an application under submission since June 2015 to be a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). It has been received well and it remains under consideration," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in response to a question on India's application to be a member of the MTCR.

"We are hopeful that MTCR discussions on this issue will conclude soon. India's membership of the MTCR and other export control regimes would further strengthen global non-proliferation objectives," he said.

While countries like the US and Sweden have been backing India's bid, other nations like Italy and China are not too enthusiastic about granting membership to it.