Will Advocate for India’s Membership in NSG: White House

The White House Press Secretary’s comment comes hours after China declined India’s bid being on the meeting’s agenda

US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister India Narendra Modi shake hands before their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House. (Photo: AP)

Ahead of the plenary meeting of the members of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the United States on Monday asked the member nations to consider and support India’s bid to join the club. The meeting is scheduled to take place at Seoul on Tuesday and Wednesday.

India is Ready For the Membership: United States

At the eve of the plenary meeting, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that the United States believes that India is ready for the membership of NSG. He also called upon other members of the NSG to reach a consensus decision to admit India into the group.

We believe, and this has been US policy for some time, that India is ready for membership and the United States calls on participating governments to support India’s application at the plenary session of NSG later this week. The United States will certainly be advocating for India’s membership.

<b>Josh Earnest, Press Secretary, White House</b>

US President Barack Obama had an opportunity to discuss the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was at the White House earlier in June, Ernest added.

The White House’s statement follows China’s comment about how India’s membership is not on the agenda of the NSG meeting.

(With inputs from PTI)