Prospects of India’s inclusion in the NSG and options for Pakistan

With the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) plenary meeng held in Seoul on June 23‐24, 2016, debate on the possible inclusion of non‐NPT states has gained momentum, with some opposing the membership, while others suggesng criteria to accommodate non‐NPT signatories into the NSG fold.¹ India and Pakistan have formally applied, while Israel is sll contemplang, mindful of being le outside the mainstream non‐proliferaon regime while other states with similar credenals are brought in. If India alone is allowed to become a member of the NSG while Pakistan remains outside, this would not only undermine global non‐proliferaon norms but cause countries to queson the value of engaging with the non‐ proliferaon regime. It is ironic at the same me since it was India whose 1974 nuclear test led to the creaon of the NSG previously called London Suppliers Group. The basic purpose of the NSG is to provide a mechanism through which the non‐proliferaon goal could be achieved, but in the present scenario some of the group members are unanimously supporng a proliferator (India) to be member. The special favors to India are being given in the Grossi‐Song nine points formula presented aer the extraordinary meeng of the NSG PGs on December 6, 2016 because of the United States' strategic partnership with India. Given its discriminatory agenda favoring India the formula did not go through but ironically, 2016 became remarkable for Group's future outlook and credibility.