Sweden backs India's bid for entry into Missile Technology Control Regime

STOCKHOLM: Sweden, a key member of the Missile Technology Control Regime, has backed India's bid for entry into the elite group of countries that seek to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology.

The backing was conveyed to President Pranab Mukherjee, who is here on a state visit, the first-ever by any Indian head of state, by Swedish Prime Minister Stefen Lofven who called on him along with his cabinet colleagues.

Lofven told the President that Sweden supported India's bid for entry into the MTCR, a voluntary association of 34 countries favouring non-proliferation of unmanned delivery systems capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.

The backing came as India is looking to secure an early membership of the four multilateral export control regimes -- Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), MTCR, Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement.

Historically, Swedish governments across party lines have been very outspoken about non-proliferation and disarmament issues and the country is part of all nonproliferation treaties, accords, agreements and voluntary organisations.

During the meeting yesterday, the Swedish Prime Minister also shared the view that in a reformed United Nations Security Council, Sweden believed that India had credentials to be a part of it.

"In view of the size as well as speed at which it was growing, India is a natural claimant for being a part of the UNSC," Lofven was quoted as saying by Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Navtej Sarna.

Stressing that India and Sweden have similar views on regional and global issues, President Mukherjee later thanked the Nordic country for its endorsement of India's "rightful" claim to permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

In his speech at a banquet hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia last evening, Mukherjee said the two nations though geographically distant from each other are bound by a common commitment to democratic values and practice.

Mukherjee said bilateral agreements that were signed during his visit here will lead to further fruitful engagement in the many fields where India and Sweden have obvious complementarities.

"Our countries have similar views on many issues of regional and global concern. We have been cooperating closely in the United Nations and other multilateral fora -- where India appreciates the support that we have received and continue to receive from Sweden," Mukherjee said.

"We are grateful for your endorsement of India's rightful claim to permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council and for your proactive efforts that helped India achieve Observer status in the Arctic Council during the period of Sweden's Chairmanship," Mukherjee said.

He said India attaches great importance to its long- standing friendship with Sweden.

"We are both open, pluralistic societies that are committed to the protection of human rights and the rule of law. We have, over the years, developed mutual trust and goodwill that has brought our people together to achieve our common goals in many sectors.