This statement came as a backhand to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s optimistic statement earlier, that China is not blocking India’s entry to the NSG but is only talking about “criteria and procedures”.
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Yesterday, Sushma Swaraj had played down Beijing’s opposition and said: “We hope to become a member of the NSG by year-end”.
“The United States calls on Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) participating governments to support India’s application when it comes up at the NSG plenary”, State Department Spokesman John Kirby said.
To a question on Pakistan also trying to get NSG membership, the minister said: “Look, India is not a member in the group”. But we will not oppose entry of any other country. “I want to point out that the NSG agenda has never covered any issue concerning non-NPT countries joining the NSG”, she added.
China for its part cares about non-proliferation treaty (NPT) as criteria for admission of the new members into the NSG, she said. “We continue to call on the participating governments, the NSG, to support India’s application at the plenary session this week itself”, State Department Spokesman John Kirby told reporters at his daily news conference.
Indian Foreign Office Spokesman Vikas Swarup said Jaishankar had discussed “all major issues, including India’s membership to the NSG during his visit to Beijing” on his visit to Beijing from June 16-17. “We did not target any country, India or Pakistan”, Hua said. “But we’ll not oppose entry of any nation to NSG”. It also tracks the black market trade of nuclear technologies. “Instead of expressing her views in riddles she should have clearly mentioned about the elements acting as an obstacle in Pak-India relations”, Nisar said.
Her comments suggest the focus of the Seoul plenary could first be on arriving at an understanding on the entry of all non-NPT countries, which could later pave the way for considering India’s specific bid.
He said relations of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with head of any country were linked with interest of Pakistan.
Only countries that have ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons are normally eligible for membership.
If India is successful in gaining entry to the group, it could keep Pakistan from gaining membership because group decisions are made through consensus.
Sushma said India was hopeful of convincing China to give its backing in the 48-nation grouping. The NSG works on unanimity and even one “no” vote can scuttle India’s bid.
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Although New Delhi has not signed the NPT, it has committed to some controls on its nuclear program under a 2008 deal with the United States. She also underscored that India wanted a peaceful settlement of the South China Sea dispute.
