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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