India and the World Nuclear Order: India's bid at the NSG

In 1974, India conducted its inaugural nuclear test, codenamed 'Smiling Buddha'.However, this event was met with scepticism and was not widely embraced.The Nuclear Suppliers Group was established to restrict the sale of nuclear fission materials, such as uranium, to nations like India that were not signatories of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.However, it was not until 1998 that India officially acquired nuclear weapons and so gained nuclear capability.The tests were met with pessimism and penalties from nations that are members of the NSG, with the United States being particularly critical.However, the impact of this was nullified by the Indo-US nuclear deal of 2008, which is widely seen as the pivotal moment for India's nuclear programme.Through this agreement, India gained formal recognition as a non-NPT member with a nuclear programme that is equivalent to the standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).It was granted an exemption from the standards established by the NSG in 1992.India has consistently advocated for a more positive attitude from the permanent signatories of the treaty and the members of the NSG in order to obtain NSG membership.This membership would enable India to expand its imports and exports of nuclear energy, which it intends to use exclusively for peaceful purposes.The NSG waiver has been suspended since the Bush administration.India emphasises the need of a clean environment and energy, as well as the significant market potential, as prerequisites for its request to join the NSG.This would significantly influence the global nuclear order and shape the future of a rapidly evolving nuclear landscape.