Engaged with all NSG members despite China’s consistent opposition, says India

India on Tuesday said that it is engaged with all the members of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for its entry into 48-nation grouping.

This comes days after the Vienna meeting of NSG’s Consultative Committee that took place on November 11. Although, the meeting went inconclusive on India’s application as China continued its opposition on NPT-nations ground.

When asked about the future of India’s membership bid, an External Affairs Ministry source said, “Our membership remains with the NSG. We are also engaged with all the members of the group.”

China also opposed India's entry into NSG club in Seoul in June on the ground that it has not signed the NPT.

Beijing's stand for a non-discriminatory criteria is regarded significant as Pakistan, a close ally of Beijing, too has applied for the NSG membership along with India.

Although, India has secured the backing of the US and majority of NSG members based on its non-proliferation record in comparison to Pakistan which faced serious allegations of nuclear proliferation in the past specially with regard to its nuclear scientist A Q Khan.

At the Vienna meeting of the NSG, members talked about the technical, legal and political matters relating non-NPT members accession to the NSG.

India has been maintaining that NPT membership was not essential for joining the NSG, as was the case with France.

(With Inputs from PTI)