France welcomes India's accession to Missile Technology Control Regime

NEW DELHI: France, a strong backer of India's membership to the multi-lateral export control regimes including NSG, today welcomed India's accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime ( MTCR).

"France welcomes India's commitment to combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. As of 27 June, India is participating in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

"France has actively supported its adherence, towards which we have worked jointly. India's adherence will contribute to better regulating the proliferation of equipment that could be used in missiles or drones capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction," French Foreign Ministry said in a statement here.

France had also supported India's case in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and had asked its members to "positively" decide on its membership application.

Earlier, granting membership to India, Netherlands, the current Chair of MTCR, said the MTCR welcomes India into the Regime, convinced that its membership will strengthen the international efforts to prevent proliferation of delivery systems (ballistic missiles or unmanned aircraft) capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.

"The MTCR looks forward to India's full participation in the Regime, including the upcoming annual plenary meeting of the MTCR in the Republic of Korea in October 2016," it added.