Editorial Analysis for UPSC - Implications of the Unguided Missile

Implications of the Unguided Missile

 

Context:

  • The accidental firing of a missile by India into Pakistan could have led to serious, unintended escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries, but, fortunately, that did not happen.
  • Moreover India’s image as a global image of a responsible nuclear power will be at stake after this incident.

 

Background:

 

  • Pakistan has alleged that the incident “indicates many loopholes and technical lapses of a serious nature in Indian handling of strategic weapons”.
  • Islamabad, which termed the inquiry as ordered by India as insufficient, has demanded a joint probe. It has also sought the involvement of the international community to promote “strategic stability in the region”. 
  • India’s technical capability has never been in doubt and has had a good reputation in the international community.

 

MTCR:

  • The Missile Technology Control Regime was started in 1987 by the G-7 industrialized countries namely, the USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Italy.
  • It was started to check the proliferation of unmanned delivery systems for nuclear weapons (particularly systems that could carry a payload of 500 kg to a range of 300 km).
  • There are a total of 35 members of the Missile Technology Regime (MTCR). India is one of its members.
  1. It is not a legally binding treaty on the members. It is only an informal political understanding.
  2. Currently, there are 35 members in the regime including India. China is not a member of the regime.
  3. Every member is supposed to establish national export control policies for ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, space launch vehicles, drones, remotely piloted vehicles, sounding rockets, and underlying components and technologies.
What are the advantages for India?
  • India became a member of MTCR in 2016 which is a testimony to India being a reliable defence partner.
  • With joining into the MTCR India has many advantages:
  1. India’s space program will get a fillip as ISRO will now have access to restricted high-end technologies for developing its cryogenic engines.
  2. India’s arms exports will be enhanced as now, India can export BrahMos to Vietnam and other nations.
  3. This will help India procure Israel’s Arrow II missile, which will help develop India’s ballistic missile system.
  4. India can buy surveillance drones from the US.
  5. This will be a boost to the ‘Make in India’ program.

 

Way Forward:
  • With such unfortunate incidents India’s global reputation as a reliable defence partner will be dented.
  • With ambitious projects under Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India and defence indigenisation, India must be careful in every move it makes.

Source: THE HINDU.