JOIN USPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged China on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tashkent to support India’s bid for a membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
But in faraway Seoul, there was no breakthrough at the NSG plenary in the face of stiff Chinese-led opposition.
As Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping held talks in Tashkent, India’s case, though not on the formal agenda, was taken up at a special post-dinner meeting of NSG members in the South Korean capital after Japan and some other countries are understood to have raised the matter in the opening session.
The member countries remained divided over India’s entry because it is not a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Besides China, which has been vocal in its opposition to India’s membership, it is understood that countries like Turkey, Austria, New Zealand and Ireland took the stand that no exception can be made.
Clearly, Modi’s efforts have not changed the Chinese position, but what transpires on Friday, the final day of the two-day plenary, remains to be seen.
Officials push India case
Indian diplomats, led by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, are in Seoul to press India’s case, though they are not the participants at the plenary in the absence of India’s membership. Jaishankar has met a number of delegation leaders in this regard.
About 300 participants from 48 member countries are attending the plenary which was preceded by official-level session that began on June 20.
Seeking China’s support for India’s membership, Modi urged Xi to make a “fair and objective” assessment of India’s application which is before the Seoul plenary. The two leaders are in Tashkent for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
The line take by Modi was that New Delhi’s case should be judged on its own merits and that China should contribute to an emerging consensus in Seoul.
That there was no immediate commitment by Xi was indicated by External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup who refused to comment saying: “You know, it is a complex and delicate process. We are waiting (to see) what kind of news comes from Seoul. I will not make any more comments on this.”