Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to hold a special meeting to discuss the criteria for India’s entry to the group. This will be another bid by India to enter the NSG and the special meeting will be held in Vienna on November 11.
The Government of India led by PM Narendra Modi has stepped up efforts including meetings and interaction with China at senior levels. Since the NSG plenary meeting in Seoul in June, India is making efforts to secure entry to the 48-member club.
Indian and Chinese officials held threadbare discussions on Monday in an attempt to narrow down differences over India’s aspirations to become an NSG member. They said discussions are likely to continue when Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval meets Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi in Hyderabad on Friday.
China has so far opposed India’s entry into the NSG because India is not a signatory to the Nonproliferation Treaty. But India is seeking exemption on the basis of the 2008 waivers by the NSG and its clean track record in the nuclear sector.
Conclusion of earlier NSG meeting in Seoul
At the NSG’s plenary session in Seoul, China had stonewalled India’s bid to get entry into the group despite support to India from the USA, Russia and France besides other key members such as Australia and Japan. The meeting in Seoul on June 23-24 had ended with an agreement pushed by Australia and Mexico that a special meeting would be held in November to discuss criteria for India’s entry.
Argentinian envoy and former NSG chair Rafael Grossi was appointed point person for India and since then the senior diplomat has undertaken informal consultations to build consensus on the criteria for admission.
What India must ensure to secure its entry in Nuclear Suppliers Group(NSG)?
New Delhi must keep the diplomatic efforts that will lead to its membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Indian officials must keep engaging with China, and also consider other available options to mount diplomatic pressure on Beijing.
These efforts also include the enlisting India’s allies such the United States, Russia, France and other NSG members. It should underscore its record on nonproliferation and stress on China’s close links with Pakistan and North Korea.
