China blow to India's Nuclear Suppliers Group hopes

India’s bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) has suffered a setback following Chinese opposition, reports BBC.
The plenary of the NSG ended on Friday without a decision on India’s membership. China said India should not become a member until it signs the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) - a key requirement for all NSG members.
The NSG sets global rules for international trade in nuclear energy technology.
In a statement following the end of the plenary session, the group confirmed that India’s application had been discussed, reports India’s PTI news agency.
“Participating governments reiterated their firm support for the full, complete and effective implementation of the NPT as the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime,” the statement read.
India needed a unanimous vote in the 48-member group to become a member, but Beijing took the position that the rules should not be bent for India.
“Applicant countries must be signatories of the NPT. This is a pillar, not something that China set. It is universally recognised by the international community,” the Reuters news agency quoted Wang Qun, the head of the arms control department in China’s foreign ministry, as saying.
China was always the main opponent to India’s US-backed bid to become an NSG member despite hectic diplomatic discussions between Delhi and Beijing.
US President Barack Obama had publicly endorsed India’s candidacy during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this month and also urged other NSG members to consider it favourably.
Correspondents say that India’s failure to secure a seat in the NSG will be seen as a setback to Mr Modi’s foreign policy.
India’s main opposition Congress party has referred to the development as an “embarrassment” to the country.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs to realise that diplomacy needs depth and seriousness and not public tamasha [spectacle],” a party spokesman said.
AFP report from New Delhi adds: India has blamed regional rival China for blocking its entry to a nuclear trade group opposed to the proliferation of nuclear weapons, after its members met in South Korea with no decision on India’s bid to join.
India wants to become a member of the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) which works to prevent the sharing of technology that could spread nuclear weapons.
New Delhi believes joining the NSG, which concluded a two-day meeting in Seoul Friday, would give it better access to low-cost, clean nuclear energy, important for economic growth.
But despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reported attempts to convince Chinese President Xi Jinping to support India’s membership, Beijing stood firm in its opposition.

 

China blow to Indias Nuclear Suppliers Group hopes

Indias bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) has suffered a setback following Chinese opposition, reports BBC. The plenary of the NSG ended on Friday without a decision on Indias membership. China said India should not become a member until it signs the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) - a key requirement for all NSG members. The NSG sets global rules for international trade in nuclear energy technology. In a statement following the end of the plenary session, the group confirmed that Indias application had been discussed, reports Indias PTI news agency. Participating governments reiterated their firm support for the full, complete and effective implementation of the NPT as the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime, the statement read. India needed a unanimous vote in the 48-member group to become a member, but Beijing took the position that the rules should not be bent for India. Applicant countries must be signatories of the NPT. This is a pillar, not something that China set. It is universally recognised by the international community, the Reuters news agency quoted Wang Qun, the head of the arms control department in Chinas foreign ministry, as saying. China was always the main opponent to Indias US-backed bid to become an NSG member despite hectic diplomatic discussions between Delhi and Beijing. US President Barack Obama had publicly endorsed Indias candidacy during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this month and also urged other NSG members to consider it favourably. Correspondents say that Indias failure to secure a seat in the NSG will be seen as a setback to Mr Modis foreign policy. Indias main opposition Congress party has referred to the development as an embarrassment to the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs to realise that diplomacy needs depth and seriousness and not public tamasha [spectacle], a party spokesman said. AFP report from New Delhi adds: India has blamed regional rival China for blocking its entry to a nuclear trade group opposed to the proliferation of nuclear weapons, after its members met in South Korea with no decision on Indias bid to join. India wants to become a member of the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) which works to prevent the sharing of technology that could spread nuclear weapons. New Delhi believes joining the NSG, which concluded a two-day meeting in Seoul Friday, would give it better access to low-cost, clean nuclear energy, important for economic growth. But despite Prime Minister Narendra Modis reported attempts to convince Chinese President Xi Jinping to support Indias membership, Beijing stood firm in its opposition.