The outcome of the meeting between Modi and Xi will determine the proceedings of the NSG’s two-day plenary that began in Seoul yesterday, sources said.
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The annual plenary session of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) ended in Seoul on Friday without making any decision on India’s membership bid.
Earlier in the day, Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that procedural hurdles were persistently at NSG Plenary meeting in Seoul by one country (read China), though an overwhelming support poured in for India’s bid to be a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). He insisted that for a country to be a member of NSG, signing of the NPT “is a must”, a rule set by the global community.
“India believes that an early decision on its application remains in larger global interest”, the foreign ministry said in a statement. The grouping then said it was giving “clean and unconditional” waiver “based on the commitments and actions” on non-proliferation undertaken by India.
“NSG countries can sell reactors to India and India can do the same”.
However, Wang added that Beijing attaches “great importance” to India’s sentiments for the membership of NSG.
The US, Kirby said, has consistently supported and raised India’s membership to the NSG before its other 47 member countries.
NSG consensus is in favour of Non Proliferation Treaty, hope India will join NPT first.
According to sources, Brazil yesterday supported India’s bid but called for a common criteria for all non-NPT states. The issue was raised when India was granted a special waiver in the NSG in 2008, with Chinese support.
“He (Prime Minister) said China should contribute to the emerging consensus in Seoul”, Swarup quoted Prime Minister Modi as saying”, he added.
China said India should not become a member until it signs the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) – a key requirement for all NSG members.
Without going into details of deliberations, the official referred to a similar discussion within the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) to which India was inducted early this month after months of discussions within its member countries.
Founded in 2001, the SCO now has China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as its full members, with Afghanistan, Belarus, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan as observers.
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Ironically, while opposing India’s case he Chinese have been arguing that Pakistan, also a non-signatory to the NPT, must also be allowed in the NSG, if the doors are opened for India.
