The Wassenaar Arrangement has decided to admit India as a new member. Which of the following statements correctly describes the nature and purpose of the Wassenaar Arrangement?

Introduction / Context:
The Wassenaar Arrangement is one of several international export control regimes that aim to regulate the transfer of sensitive items, including conventional weapons and dual use goods and technologies that can have both civilian and military applications. When India was admitted as a member, it became an important development in India's integration into global non proliferation and export control frameworks. General knowledge questions often test whether candidates know what the Wassenaar Arrangement actually is and what its main objectives are.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question refers to the Wassenaar Arrangement and India's admission as a member.
- Statements include: that it is a non government organisation, that it is a multilateral export control regime and that it promotes transparency and responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual use goods and technologies.
- Options allow selection of individual statements or the combination of B and C.

Concept / Approach:
The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual Use Goods and Technologies is a multilateral export control regime. It is not a non government organisation. Member states agree to apply common guidelines for national export controls so that transfers of certain sensitive items do not lead to destabilising accumulations of arms or contribute to proliferation. A central aim of the arrangement is to promote transparency and greater responsibility in the transfer of conventional arms and dual use items. Therefore, statement B correctly identifies it as a multilateral export control regime, and statement C correctly describes its purpose. Statement A, on the other hand, is not correct.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Wassenaar Arrangement is an international framework dealing with export controls.
Step 2: Recognise that it is described as a multilateral export control regime, which matches statement B.
Step 3: Remember that the arrangement aims to promote transparency and responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual use goods and technologies, which is exactly what statement C says.
Step 4: Understand that it is not a typical non government organisation; rather, it is an arrangement between participating states, so statement A is incorrect.
Step 5: Conclude that both B and C are correct, and select the option that includes both of them.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of other similar regimes like the Nuclear Suppliers Group or the Australia Group, which are also described as multilateral export control regimes, not as non government organisations. Official descriptions of the Wassenaar Arrangement talk about participating states, export control lists and shared guidelines. They specifically mention transparency and responsibility as objectives. Current affairs and international relations notes repeat that India joining the Wassenaar Arrangement helps it align with global export control standards for arms and dual use items. These points clearly support both statements B and C while rejecting statement A.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- It is a non government organisation: This is incorrect because the Wassenaar Arrangement is an intergovernmental export control framework, not a non profit or private organisation.
- It is a multilateral export control regime: This by itself is true but does not fully capture the purpose described in option C, and the question offers a more complete correct option including both B and C.
- It promotes transparency and greater responsibility in the transfer of conventional arms and dual use goods and technologies: This statement is correct but, again, the best and most complete answer is the combined option that includes both its nature and purpose.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may be tempted to choose only statement B because they remember that the Wassenaar Arrangement is a multilateral export control regime, without paying attention to the full objective described in statement C. Others may be confused by the term arrangement and think it is a non government organisation. To avoid mistakes, learners should remember two key phrases together: “multilateral export control regime” and “promotes transparency and responsibility in the transfer of conventional arms and dual use goods and technologies.” When both phrases appear in the options, the combined choice is usually the most accurate description.

Final Answer:
The Wassenaar Arrangement is a multilateral export control regime that promotes transparency and greater responsibility in the transfer of conventional arms and dual use goods and technologies, so both statements B and C are correct.