The development comes close to the heels of India joining the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and Waasenaar. The AG aims to ensure that exports in no way contribute to acquisition or development of chemical and biological weapons. The AG said in a release that on January 19, 2018, India formally became the 43rd member of the Australia Group (AG), the cooperative and voluntary group of countries working to counter the spread of materials, equipment and technologies that could contribute to the development or acquisition of chemical and biological weapons (CBW) by States or terrorist groups. Reacting to India’s entry to the group, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Ravish Kumar said it would be mutually beneficial and to help in non proliferation. He said the AG membership will help in establishing India's credentials further.