- The EU has sanctioned Si2 Microsystems, an Indian technology business, for its connections to Russia.
- It has already faced restrictions, including a ban by the US on transferring “dual-use” technology.
What are dual-use items?
- Definition: Dual-use products are commodities that can be used in both civilian and military applications.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: Because these devices can be initially created for civilian reasons but later repurposed for military or even terrorist activity, they are subject to strict supervision.
- Examples: Dual-use items include global positioning satellites, missiles, nuclear technologies, chemical and biological weapons, night vision equipment, drones, precision-engineered aluminium pipes, and some types of ball bearings.
Global Control Mechanisms for Dual-Use Items
(1) Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR):
- Established in 1987 by the G-7 countries.
- Goal: To inhibit the spread of missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass devastation.
- Membership consists of 35 member countries.
- Guidelines: Members collaborate on national export regulations to prevent missile proliferation.
- India’s Membership: India joined as the 35th member in 2016.
(2) Wassenaar Arrangement (WA):
- Established: in 1996, with 42 participant states.
- Purpose: To prevent destabilising accumulations of conventional armaments, dual-use items, and technologies.
- Export Controls: To prevent the development of military capabilities, member countries impose controls on the items mentioned below.
- India is not a member, but it has shown an interest in joining to improve its export controls and nonproliferation activities.
(3) Australia Group (AG):
- The formation was prompted by Iraq’s deployment of chemical weapons in 1985.
- The focus was initially on chemical weapons precursor compounds, but it has since evolved to encompass biological weapon avoidance.
- Membership consists of 42 member countries. India is not a member.
- The goal is to harmonise international export regulations for chemical and biological technologies.
(4) Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG):
- Established in 1974 as a response to India’s nuclear testing.
- Control nuclear and nuclear-related technology in order to prevent proliferation.
- Membership consists of 48 participating governments.
- Guidelines: The goal is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons through control mechanisms.
[Note: India is also a signatory to significant accords including the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention (BWC).]
India’s internal mechanisms against dual-use items
- The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in India regulates dual-use commodities through the SCOMET list (Specialty Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies).
- SCOMET List: SCOMET products include unique chemicals, organisms, materials, equipment, and technologies that have dual-use potential.
- Regulatory Framework: Exporting SCOMET goods is subject to severe rules, which may need a licence or be restricted entirely.
- Alignment with International Controls: The SCOMET control list is consistent with control lists from other international export control regimes and treaties.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-examining-indian-tech-company-in-eu-us-sanctions-list/article67889474.ece#:~:text=The%20company%2C%20Bengaluru%2Dbased%20high,Indian%20authorities%20over%20debt%20defaults.