Recently, the USA decided to support India's membership in multi-lateral export control regimes called the "Australia Group" and the "Wassenaar Arrangement”. What is the difference between them?
- 1.The Australia Group is an informal arrangement which aims to allow exporting countries to minimize the risk of assisting chemical and biological weapons proliferation, whereas the Wassenaar Arrangement is a formal group under the OECD holding identical objectives.
- 2.The Australia Group comprises predominantly of Asian, African and North American countries, whereas the member countries of Wassenaar Arrangement are predominantly from the European Union and American continents.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: D. Neither 1 nor 2
The Australia Group is an informal forum of countries that aims to prevent the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons by harmonizing export controls on related materials. The Wassenaar Arrangement, on the other hand, is a formal regime focused on controlling conventional arms and dual-use goods, not primarily chemical and biological weapons. Both are export control regimes but have different focuses and organizational structures. The membership of both is diverse and not confined to the specific continental groupings mentioned in the second statement.
Source: UPSC gs1 2011