Context:
Indian Security agencies have seized the consignment consisting of internationally banned chemical used for tear gas and riot control agents at a port in Tamil Nadu.
SCOMET List:
- SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies) list is National Export Control List of dual use items, including software and technology.
- Notified under Indian Trade Clarification based on Harmonized System [ITC (HS)] Classification.
- Introduced under – Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.
- Dual use items are goods and technologies that can have both civilian and military applications.
- Export of dual-use items and technologies is either prohibited or is permitted under a license.
Missile and Dual-Use Export Control Regimes (MECRs):
- MECRs – Voluntary agreements among major supplier countries aimed at preventing the proliferation of certain military and dual-use technologies, particularly those related to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).
- These agreements are independent of the United Nations
- 4 MECRs –
- Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) – For nuclear technology control
- Australia Group (AG) – For chemical and biological weapons control
- Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) – For rockets and aerial vehicles related to WMD delivery
- Wassenaar Arrangement – For conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies.
- India’s position – India is a member of 3 out of the 4 MECRs, excluding the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
India is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation
(b) It can attain a global role in satellite navigation
(c) It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation
(d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation
Answer: (d)
