Topics In Demand
Notification
New

No notification found.

Nasscom’s interaction with the Head of Secretariat, Wassenaar Arrangement
Nasscom’s interaction with the Head of Secretariat, Wassenaar Arrangement

February 9, 2024

36

0

On February 6, 2023, Ministry of External Affairs facilitated an interaction between the Head of Secretariat of the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA), and various government agencies and industry associations in India. The engagement focused on strategic trade controls, the role of WA, governments and industry in strengthening the export control regimes.

Background:

Established in July 1996, the WA is a voluntary framework aimed at enhancing transparency and responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies. India became a member in the WA in December 2017. India was entrusted with Chairmanship of the WA Plenary in 2023. WA members discuss amendments to the WA list of dual-use items (mapped to Category 8 of SCOMET list in India). Based on the approved changes, WA member countries adopt the changes in their national control lists.

Key takeaways from the interaction:

  • The WA Head of State emphasised on the significance of a multilateral approach in regulating export of dual-use items, given that cooperation and consensus among countries globally is effective in ensuring non-proliferation.
  • Recognising the rapid pace of technological advancement and the role of technology in global security, export controls on emerging technologies is a priority area.
  • India was mentioned as a key contributor to discussions at the WA. The WA Head of State mentioned that he looks forward to proposals and non-papers led by India to strengthen the multilateral export control regime.

Way forward:

We continue to engage with the government on ways to strengthen the multilateral export control regime. Specifically, we are working on building a robust understanding of the classification of encryption and information security related items (under Category 5 Part 2 of WA list, and Category 8A502 of SCOMET list). In addition, we have also recommended to the government a bulk licensing policy for cryptography under SCOMET category 8A5 Part 2.

If this topic is of interest to you, or if you have feedback/suggestions on the same, kindly write to priyanshi@nasscom.in and garima@nasscom.in.  


That the contents of third-party articles/blogs published here on the website, and the interpretation of all information in the article/blogs such as data, maps, numbers, opinions etc. displayed in the article/blogs and views or the opinions expressed within the content are solely of the author's; and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of NASSCOM or its affiliates in any manner. NASSCOM does not take any liability w.r.t. content in any manner and will not be liable in any manner whatsoever for any kind of liability arising out of any act, error or omission. The contents of third-party article/blogs published, are provided solely as convenience; and the presence of these articles/blogs should not, under any circumstances, be considered as an endorsement of the contents by NASSCOM in any manner; and if you chose to access these articles/blogs , you do so at your own risk.


images
priyanshi
Senior Associate, Public Policy and Government Affairs

Reach out to me for everything data, platforms, or export controls!

© Copyright nasscom. All Rights Reserved.