Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s met Chinese President Xi Jinping on sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tashkent on Thursday.
“Modi urged China to make a fair and objective assessment of India’s application to NSG on merit”, MEA, Vikas Swarup intimated reporters.
The NSG is holding a plenary in Seoul where it is expected to take up India’s membership application.
PM Modi is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Russian President Vladamir Putin. Russia strongly supports India’s entry into the NSG and has reportedly offered to take up the matter of India’s membership with China.
Upon his arrival at the Tashkent International Airport, Modi received a warm welcome from Uzbekistan Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Prior to his departure, the Prime Minister said that India looked forward to a fruitful outcome from its engagement at the SCO Summit. He added that India was glad to be a member of the SCO and looked forward to positive conclusions, particularly in the field of economic cooperation.
The SCO summit also coincides with the two-day annual plenary of the Nuclear Suppliers Group which began in Seoul on Thursday, during which India’s application for membership to the atomic trading club is set to be deliberated upon.
During the two-day summit India will be elevated to the grouping as a full-fledged member along with Pakistan.
India’s entry into the SCO as a full member will provide it with an opportunity for extended cooperation with member countries in areas of defence, security and counter-terrorism.
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