JOIN USIndia on Friday blamed China for scuttling its bid to secure a membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) without actually naming the communist nation.
The consolation prize, however, was support by an “overwhelming” number of countries who took to the floor supporting India’s case. But the principal opposition was from “one country”, though a few others raised procedural issues, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
“Despite procedural hurdles persistently raised by one country, a three hour-long discussion took place on Thursday night on the issue of future participation in the NSG. An overwhelming number of those who took the floor supported India’s membership and appraised India’s application positively,” the ministry added.
As China persistently opposed India’s membership and also sought a place for its ally Pakistan on the high table, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tashkent to seek his support for India.
“It is also our understanding that most countries want an early decision. A few countries raised issues regarding the process for India’s participation in the NSG. It is evident that process issues would not arise if these countries were actually opposed to our participation. This is corroborated by our own bilateral engagement with each of these countries,” said Vikas Swarup, MEA spokesperson. As many as 38 nations – out of the 48 member group – reportedly supported India in Seoul.
China, however, raised the issue of signing the (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) NPT as a criterion for NSG membership. India is not a NPT country. The issue was raised when India was granted a special waiver in the NSG in 2008, with Chinese support.
A phone call from the then US president George Bush to his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao ended the deadlock.