Rahul Blames Modi’s ‘Failed Diplomacy’ For India’s NSG Fiasco

The two-day NSG plenary in Seoul ended with India failing to clinch NSG entry with China’s strong opposition.

India on Friday failed in its determined bid to clinch membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in the face of strong China-led opposition.

In a clear setback to its efforts to join the 48-nation grouping, a two-day NSG plenary ended after deciding against accepting India’s membership application. China, which had made no secret of its opposition, succeeded in scuttling India’s bid despite a significant majority backing the Indian case.

Thirty-eight countries supported India, according to Indian officials. An upset India later accused “one country” – a clear reference to China – of persistently creating procedural hurdles during the discussions on its application.

India Hits Wall at NSG

Lead negotiator for China to the NSG, Wang Qun, revealed that there was a failure to reach a consensus over admitting Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) non-signatories during the NSG plenary meeting. And, as a result, it will continue to block India’s bid until it signs the NPT.

Wang further went on to add that NSG consensus is in favour of non-signatories signing the NPT, but appreciating India’s need for nuclear energy, China is ready to discuss a bilateral cooperation agreement with India.

Adding to India’s woes, Switzerland went back on its promise of support for India’s bid during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit earlier this month. Switzerland has now joined the group of countries who are opposed to India’s bid, citing India’s non-signatory status as the reason for opposition.

Also Read: China Not Alone: At Least 5 Other Countries Oppose India’s NSG Bid

#FailedModiDiplomacy

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to take a jab at Modi – and his “failed diplomacy” to ensure India’s entry into the elite club. And he is not alone. Analysts are seeing India’s failure to enter the elite club as largely Modi’s failure.

NSG: How to lose a negotiation by Narendra Modi #FailedModiDiplomacy

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) June 24, 2016

India’s Inclusion to the NSG in Global Interest: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), responding to the statement, has said it will be in global interest if an early decision can be reached on India’s application to the NSG as it would advance energy security and make a difference in combating climate change.

It further added that India’s participation in the NSG will further strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and make global nuclear commerce more secure.

MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup, in an apparent reference to China, said the broader sentiment at the plenary meet was to take the matter forward, but because of procedural issues raised by a few members, consensus over its bid could not be reached.