No entry in NSG: India blames one country (China), others said no too

IN A major setback, India’s ambitious bid to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) failed on Friday, as China and at least seven other countries blocked consensus at the elite group which controls transfer of nuclear technology in the world. The NSG cited Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the “cornerstone” of the international non-proliferation regime, but India said the NPT issue had been addressed in 2008 itself, when it got the countryspecific waiver.

The Indian Express has learnt that Mexico also pressed for a “criteria-based process” for allowing non-npt members into the NSG, along with Switzerland, Brazil and Turkey. What has surprised many in New Delhi is Mexico and Switzerland’s stand since both countries had promised support during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit a few weeks ago. Brazil was also a surprise since India counted it in its “support column” as both countries have shared interests in climate change and energy needs and are part of groupings like IBSA and BRICS.

Turkey was the only country to push for clubbing both India and Pakistan’s applications directly, while Pakistan’s application was not discussed at all.

Leading the naysayers was China, along with three countries which have strong positions on nuclear non-proliferation — Ireland, Austria and New Zealand. While Modi visited

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Ireland last year to solicit its support, President Pranab Mukherjee sought New Zealand’s support during his visit last month. Modi also met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tashkent on Thursday, where he asked him to “contribute to the evolving consensus”.

However, sources told The Indian Express that the NSG plenary in Seoul concluded with the possibility of a “special plenary” — likely in November this year — to discuss the issues related to entry of non-npt members into the elite 48-nation group.

Reiterating their primacy to the NPT, the NSG plenary in Seoul, in its public statement on Friday, said the “participating governments reiterated their firm support for the full, complete and effective implementation of the

PTI Modi, Xi Jinping in Tashkent on Friday.