THE GROUP OF COUNTRIES WITH MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING...

Multilateral Export Control Regime (M.E.C.R.):-

 Photo:- Wikipedia, MECR &Wassenaar Agreement.

There are four different regimes currently operating under (M.E.C.R.):-

1. M.T.C.R.:-Missile Technology Control Regime.

2. A.G.:- Australia Group.

3. W.A.:- Wassenaar Agreement.

4. N.S.G.:- Nuclear Suppliers Group.

These regimes are informal political understandings between countries that seek to stop the trading of destructive missiles and weapon systems. They can not put any legal action on the country violating the rules or Memorandum of Understanding (M.o.U.).

1. M.T.C.R.:-

As its name suggests, its regime of controlling the trading of Ballistic missiles, Nuclear missiles, Unmanned delivery systems & launching Vehicles. A technology having the capacity 500 kg of payload & have a range of 300 km along with mass destruction capabilities are prohibited. In 1987, G7 countries decided to form the regime and make two categories. Full missile systems, Sub-systems, Manufacturing facilities are in Category I & Propellants and sub-components of rockets and missiles come in Category II. A total of 35 members are there in MTCR including leading manufacturers and suppliers of missile technology. Since its inception, MTCR has been able to control or slow down the Missile program of countries like Brazil, South Korea & South Africa. But, Countries like India (Member since 2016), Iran & Pakistan continues to increase its missile program at a rapid pace.     

2. A.G.:-

The Australia Group Controls the trading of the chemical and the biological weapon. After Iraq used chemical weapons in 1984, Australia initiated to form this group. A total of 43 members are there with India joining in 2018. A uniform list of 63 elements has been made which are strictly prohibited for exporting. After reforming decisions taken in 2002, "No Undercut" was declared which means it doesn't matter importing country is a member of the group or not. The exporting country must consult the existing members before exporting. Second is, regardless of exporting material is on the list or not, the exporting country must stop trading if the material can be used for the weapon system.  

3. W.A.:-  

In 1996, this regime was started at Wassenaar, the Netherlands to control the export of Conventional arms & Dual used goods and technologies. A total of 42 countries are a member of this regime including Warsaw pact members (I will write a separate blog on Warsaw pact). India joined the regime in 2017.

Prohibited materials are divided into two lists- 

1. Dual-use goods & Technologies:-

Namely- Computers, Sensors, RADARS, Information security, Processors, etc.

Further two sub-sections are made.

I. Sensitive- Marine, Aerospace & propulsion, etc.        

II. Very Sensitive-Materials used for manufacturing of stealth technology.

2. Munitions list:-

Over 22 categories are made but without any specific label or group. Members take the decision on a case basis using simple technics like availability & ability of destruction of exporting material. 

4. N.S.G.:- I have already written a separate blog on N.S.G. Name- India, Smiling Budhha & Nuclear Suppliers Group.

India & M.E.C.R.:- India will become a member of all four regimes once it gets membership of N.S.G. as it is already a member of the rest three. China is the only member of N.S.G. out of four. So, India can use this card on China to get an entry in N.S.G. against supporting China for its membership bid of rest three groups of M.E.C.R.

Concluding, These types of regimes are very important as most countries are equipped with mass destructive weapons. The world will not be able to overcome world war II like wars henceforth. Membership of these groups must be mandatory for capable countries. In my opinion, Associations, Regimes like this must have their own peacekeeping forces. So, the country violating the rules will be punished or any country at risk will be protected using them.

Regards,

Bhargav Deshpande.