§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what impact the strategic alliance agreed in January between the Indian and Iranian governments has had on the Government's decision to issue licences for strategic exports to India. [186117]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThere has been no need to change how we decide on our criteria on export licence applications for India following the agreement between the Indian and Iranian governments to increase their economic and civil nuclear co-operation because the policy enables changes in circumstances to be considered. We assess all export licence applications on a case-by-case basis against: the Consolidated EU and National Arms Licensing Criteria; the statement made by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Bradshaw) on 15 March 2002,Official Report, column 1298W; and in light of the circumstances prevailing at the time. Under criterion 7, we consider the risk of re-export of equipment under undesirable conditions.