Beijing: China on June 20 said differences remained among the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) members over the inclusion of new countries, a day after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had said that Beijing was not against India’s entry.
“We have stressed that the NSG is still divided about non-NPT countries’ entry into the NSG and under the current circumstances we hope that NSG will make thorough discussions to make a decision based on consultation,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing.
Answering questions about foreign secretary S. Jaishankar’s visit to China on June 16-17 and Swaraj’s remarks, Hua said India’s admission into the NSG was not on the agenda of the 48-member elite club meeting in Seoul on June 24.
“As we understand the annual conference in Seoul this year also has no such topic. We understand that non-NPT countries are concerned about their entry into the NSG. But since NSG is still divided about the issue, so it is still not mature to talk about the entry issue in the annual conference in Seoul,” she said.
“I want to point out that the NSG agenda has never covered any issue concerning the non-NPT countries joining the NSG,” Hua said.
Her remarks came even as Swaraj on June 19 said India was confident of getting the NSG membership this year.
“China is not opposing membership of India in the NSG, it is only talking of criteria and procedure. I am hopeful that we would be able to convince China to support our entry to the NSG,” she told a press conference.
“I think that there is a consensus which is being made and I am sure that India will become the member of the NSG this year,” she had said.
Hua said, “China maintains that the NSG should have thorough discussion on the joining of the non-NPT countries in a way agreed by all parties, so as to make a decision based on agreement. This position is not directed against any country and applies to all non-NPT states,” she said.
Source:- The Wire
The post China Says India’s NSG Membership Not on Seoul Meet Agenda appeared first on Defence Update.
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