As US pushes for India’s NSG membership, China backs Pakistan: 10 updates

In a fresh push to India’s NSG membership bid amid China’s opposition, the US has asked the members of the elite club to support India’s entry during the ongoing plenary meeting in Seoul. On the other hand, Chinese media in a surprising move, has directly made a case for Pakistan’s inclusion in the NSG, probably for the first time. 

Here are the latest developments:

1. China’s state media has defended Pakistan’s nuclear record. It said AQ Khan was responsible for atomic proliferation which was not backed by the government. The Chinese media argued that any exemption to India for NSG entry should also be given to Pakistan.

2. The NSG remains divided over non-NPT countries like India becoming its members, China’s Foreign Ministry had said yesterday less than 24 hours after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had exuded hope that “we would be able to convince China to support our entry to the NSG.”

3. The US has given a fresh push to India's NSG membership bid. “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 Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG),” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.

4. China had said on Monday that India's membership is not on the agenda of the NSG meeting in Seoul. China maintains opposition to India's entry, arguing that it has not signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, it has been batting for its close ally Pakistan's entry if NSG extends any exemption for India.

5. While majority of the elite group members backed India's membership, it is understood that apart from China, countries like Turkey, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand were not in favour of India's entry into the NSG.

6. Last week as well, the US had called on members of the nuclear trading club to support India's membership.

7. Pakistan applied for NSG membership, a week after India submitted its membership application.

8. 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. India is seeking membership of NSG to enable it to trade in and export nuclear technology. India has been reaching out to NSG member countries seeking support for its entry. The NSG works under the principle of consensus and even one country’s vote against India will scuttle its bid.

9. The access to the NSG, which regulates the global trade of nuclear technology, is expected to open up the international market for energy-starved India, which has an ambitious energy generation programme. India is looking at 63,000 MW energy requirement through the nuclear programme by 2030.

10. The NSG looks after critical issues relating to nuclear sector and its members are allowed to trade in and export nuclear technology. Membership of the grouping will help India significantly expand its atomic energy sector.

(With inputs from PTI)