Pages 91-94 from FCO 177-540

During discussions between the US and India on non-proliferation and security issues, India expressed interest in adhering informally to the guidelines of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to offset the economic costs of exercising restraint on the supply of nuclear and missile technologies to third countries. The US team recognized India's restraint but stated that enhanced access to US technologies would be limited until India signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). India justified the development of the Agni missile as a response to the threat from China and emphasized that domestic demand justified its missile programs. India also expressed sensitivity to recent US press reports linking India with countries like Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as targets for increased nonproliferation activity. The US team noted some flexibility from India regarding placing nuclear facilities under international safeguards, although details were unclear. Discussions focused on defining threats from Pakistan and China and steps necessary to deal with them. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that their security environment extended beyond South Asia and included all of Asia. India was open to concluding confidence-building measures with Pakistan and exploring ideas for nuclear CBMs at a global level. The US and India had close positions on chemical weapons (CW) proliferation, and India was implementing inspection and reporting requirements under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). India was also considering joining the NSG and expanding control over CW precursor exports.