Global Security Newswire

India is set on Thursday to formally advocate for its entry into a 46-nation nuclear export control group, The Hindu reported (see GSN, Feb. 27).

A team headed by Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai is expected to argue for India's admission to the Nuclear Suppliers Group during talks with key member states in Vienna, Austria. The organization in 2008 granted a special exception enabling members to engage in civilian atomic trade with India, even though the nuclear-armed South Asian state has not signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty

The Indian officials are expected to describe their nation's dedication to preventing the uncontrolled spread of nuclear systems and substances; its progress in matching trade regulations to global standards; and its support for consideration of a fissile material cutoff treaty, The Hindu reported. Action on the matter is not expected at this week's talks.

Separately, NSG members would provide details on the organization's move last June to prohibit the export of sensitive enrichment and reprocessing technology to countries outside the nonproliferation regime, officials said (see GSN, Aug. 11, 2011; Sandeep Dikshit, The Hindu, Feb. 29).

Meanwhile, India is due in late March to receive a Russian nuclear submarine on a one-decade, $920 million lease, the Press Trust of India reported. (see GSN, Feb. 27).

New Delhi is expected to rename the Akula 2-class attack submarine INS Chakra. Earlier reports indicated the vessel could be capable of carrying nuclear-armed cruise missiles, but India is not expected to equip it with such armaments.

The nation has also started sea testing of its first indigenous atomic-powered ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arihant. The vessel is scheduled to enter active duty before next year (Press Trust of India/Economic Times, Feb. 23).