India’s application is now expected to be taken up in a meeting in Seoul on June 20.
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PM wraps up 5-nation tour on a high note, raising hopes for country’s entry to elite clubMEXICO CITY India on Thursday secured Mexico’s backing in its bid to become member of the NSG as it aggressively scouted for support ahead of a crucial meeting of the 48-nation nuclear trading bloc in Vienna. In 2008, however, India did receive China’s vote and the NSG had granted India access to civil nuclear technology after the India-US nuclear deal.
“Mexico recognizes India’s interest in joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group”, Pena Nieto said, with Modi at his side at the Mexican president’s Los Pinos residence.
In the meeting, China did not openly oppose India’s membership directly but linked it to signing of NPT.
The US and many other NSG member countries have supported India’s inclusion based on its non-proliferation track record.
In the course of his 45-minute speech, Modi covered all major aspects of the growing relationship between India and the United States, particularly strategic ties and civil nuclear cooperation, and emphasized that the two countries should leave “constraints of the past” behind as the “foundations of the future are firmly in place”.
On the occasion, he also confirmed that a top level USA delegate is now in Pakistan to hold meeting with Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership to discuss bilateral ties. India has not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is the most widely respected global non-proliferation pact.
“The announcement that the United States and India will be Travel and Tourism Partners in 2017 aims to develop joint efforts and programs to grow these people-to-people and economic linkages”. AQ Khan, the father of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, sold nuclear secrets to North Korea and Iran.
But China on Thursday maintained its position that the NPT is central to the NSG, diplomats said. Almost all the major suppliers of high technology or militarily sensitive dual use technology are members of these regimes.
Russian Federation is among the foremost countries which backed India’s bid for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Officials also reported progress in resolving an impasse over an Indian liability law passed in 2010 that makes builders of nuclear plants in India financially responsible for any accidents that might occur, with efforts to negotiate a multimillion-dollar insurance fund to cover any accidents. However, Beijing appears determined to block New Delhi’s membership.
China remained opposed, he said.
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After meeting Modi on Tuesday, President Obama stated that US fully backs India’s NSG bid.
