Beijing: China said that there would be no discussion of India’s entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). The Chinese are blocking India’s entry on the pretext that India has not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). They say that India’s entry will be discussed only after reaching a specific plan on non NPT members entry to the NSG.
The Nuclear Suppliers Group is group of 48 countries that seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment, and technology that can be used to make a nuclear weapon.
However, last year the US had said that India met all the conditions to become a member of the NSG. They also promised their support for India’s bid to be member of the group. Moreover, other countries like Russia, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway have also supported India’s entry to the NSG.
India had applied for membership of NSG in 2016. Since then China had been insisting that only the countries that have signed the NPT can become member of NSG. China is insisting that NSG must arrive at a specific plan for non NPT countries to become part of NSG and then move forward with discussions.
Interestingly, China is careful not to show its open opposition to India’s entry into the coveted group and tries to shift the reason for blocking India’s entry on technical grounds.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Lu Kang, said, “There is no blocking by certain members. Because there are procedures in the NSG and members make decisions according to the procedures and proceedings. As far as I know, this plenary meeting is being held and there will be discussions on the NPT non-parties participation and the political and legal issues concerning that.”
NSG will be holding its plenary meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 20-21 June. India was hoping that its membership would be considered during the meeting of the NSG countries. But the Chinese stand has become a spoilsport for India’s efforts.
However, India under Narendra Modi has been using its diplomatic clout now far efficiently than any other Prime Minister before him barring a few exceptions. With a pro-active and pro-Indian diplomacy, there is still hopes for a success in the near future.
Recently, India won a huge diplomatic win when Jaish-e-Mohammad chief, Masood Azhar, was designated as an international terrorist at the United Nations Security Council. China had been blocking any attempts to list the terrorist on the black list as a favor for its ally, Pakistan. However, India’s continuous and unrelenting diplomacy won at the end.
Finally, China had to relent to international pressure brought about by a new diplomatic clout by India painstakingly build over five years by Narendra Modi.
