RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.967
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.11.2016
PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP OF INTERNATIONAL FORUMS
967. SHRIMATI JAYA BACHCHAN:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has applied for or wish to apply for permanent membership of various International Forums like Sanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) etc.;
(b) what would be the benefit by joining these International Forums, the details thereof, forum-wise; and
(c) what steps Government has taken in this regard, the details thereof, forum-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
(a) India signed a Memorandum of Obligations (MoO) for becoming a full member of SCO on June 24, 2016.
(b) India is expected to benefit from SCO membership given SCO objectives which include:
(i) Strengthening relations among member states;
(ii) Promoting cooperation in political affairs, economics and trade, scientific-technical, cultural, and educational spheres as well as in energy, transportation, tourism and environmental protection;
(iii) Safeguarding regional peace, security, and stability; and
(iv) Creating a democratic, equitable international political and economic order.
(c) The MoO requires accession to 35 (thirty five) SCO documents / agreements as per a timeline indicated in the MoO, which is expected to be completed by April 2017.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
(a) India had applied for membership of APEC in 1991 on the basis of a geographic location, potential size of the economy and degree of trade interaction with the Asia-Pacific. However, the 5th APEC Leaders' meeting in Vancouver in 1997 decided to place a 10
year moratorium on expanding membership. The formal and thereafter informal moratorium on APEC membership is in place till date.
(b) Membership of APEC could facilitate greater trade and investment, reduction in transaction costs, and greater harmonization of standards and soft infrastructure, helping in greater integration with regional production and supply chain networks.
(c) Government of India is engaging with APEC members to positively consider India’s candidature.
Nuclear Supplies Groups (NSG)
(a) India has been engaged with the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) since 2004. This engagement was placed on a regular and formal basis with the September 2008 policy decision of the NSG regarding India. A discussion on India’s membership has taken place inside
the NSG since 2011. An extensive technical outreach has been carried out in parallel. A formal application for membership was submitted on May 12, 2016 after extensive technical preparations, including a presentation made to NSG members.
(b) Membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) would place India’s existing civil nuclear cooperation on a predictable basis and facilitate the enhanced investments, industrial tie ups and technology access required to accelerate augmentation of nuclear
power capacity in India. As a member of the Group, India would be in a position to contribute further to global non-proliferation objectives and be part of the rule making process for nuclear commerce.
(c) It is understood that consultations on the issue of India’s membership are ongoing within the NSG. The Government continues to engage with all NSG members at appropriate levels for an early decision on India’s application for membership of the Group.
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