India seizes Pak-bound consignment of banned chemicals from China | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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India seizes Pak-bound consignment of banned chemicals from China

Posted 12 Jul 2024

2 min read

Indian Security agencies have seized the consignment consisting of internationally banned chemical - Ortho-Chloro Benzylidene Malononitrile - used for tear gas and riot control agents at a port in Tamil Nadu.

  • Consignment was seized under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005.
  • The chemical is also listed in India's export control list 'SCOMET' as a controlled substance whose export shall be permitted only against an export authorization.

About SCOMET List

  • SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies) list is National Export Control List of dual use items, munitions and nuclear related items, including software and technology. 
    • Dual use items are goods and technologies that can have both civilian and military applications. Dual-use items have been named as SCOMET under Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.
  • Export of dual-use items and technologies is either prohibited or is permitted under a license.
  • SCOMET List is notified under Indian Trade Clarification based on Harmonized System [ITC (HS)] Classification.
    • ITC (HS) was adopted for import-export operations.
  • SCOMET control list is aligned to control lists of all multilateral export control regimes and conventions.

Multilateral Export Control Regimes

  • Wassenaar Arrangement (1996): For conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies.
  • Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) (1974): For transfers of civilian nuclear material and nuclear-related equipment and technology.
  • Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) (1987): To limit the spread of ballistic missiles and other unmanned delivery systems.
  • Australia Group (1985): For Chemical and Biological weapons.

Note: Except NSG, India is a member of all the above control regimes.

  • Tags :
  • Wassenaar Arrangement
  • SCOMET
  • Export Control
  • Multilateral Export Control
  • Australia Group
  • Nuclear Suppliers Group
  • MTCR
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