*It is a 45-nation cartel that controls trade in “dual-use” nuclear fuel, materials and technology to ensure they are applied only to civilian nuclear energy programmes, not diverted into clandestine nuclear weapons work.
*The NSG was formed in the backdrop of India’s shock May 1974 Pokhran nuclear test explosion, using reactor technology provided by Canada in the 1950s supposedly for peaceful energy development.
*Group policy has been to do business only with countries belonging to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty — the only outsiders are India, Pakistan and Israel — and permitting “full-scope” inspections by the UN.
