India Hopes for Turnaround Even as China Opposes NSG Bid at Vienna

India’s NSG bid to be taken up in Seoul after the Vienna meeting yielded no results, thanks to China’s opposition.

US said on 8 June that it would support India’s bid to join the NSG. (Photo: AP)

• India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is expected to be deliberated upon by the atomic trading club at its plenary later this month in Seoul as the Vienna remained inconclusive.
  
  
• China is still opposing India’s bid, arguing that the NSG should not relax specific criteria for new applicants. In the Vienna meeting, China did not openly oppose India’s membership directly but linked it to signing of the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
  
  
• Nations that had previously opposed India’s membership plea, namely New Zealand, Ireland, Turkey, South Africa and Austria, relaxed their positions and were ready to reach a compromise, but China remained adamant.
  
  
• Sources here said chair of the NSG has taken note of views expressed by member countries and will list the matter for further discussion at NSG plenary scheduled to be held in Seoul on 24 June.
  
  
• India has asserted that being a signatory to the NPT was not essential for joining the NSG as there has been a precedent in this regard, citing the case of France.
  
  
• The NSG works under the principle of unanimity and even one country’s vote against India will scuttle India’s bid. The NSG controls access to sensitive nuclear technology.
  

(With inputs from PTI)