Why is Pakistan thanking the Chinese for supporting its NSG bid?

A statement by Pakistan President, Mamnoon Hussain thanking China support for Islamabad's bid to enter the NSG is quite surprising.

Hussain who met with Chinese president, Xi Jinping at Tashkent on the sidelines of the SCO summit later thanked the Chinese for its support.

In an interview to a Pakistan television channel, Hussain said that only granting membership to India would create an imbalance. Hussain told Geo TV that only granting India the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group will shift the balance of power.

He also said on the occasion that Pakistan and China's friendship had remained firm despite difficulties and trials. One may recall that the Chinese government run Global Times had reported recently that China opposes both India's and Pakistan's entry into the NSG.

In this context it does come as a surprise when Hussain thanked the Chinese. China has been maintaining that non NPT members cannot be allowed into the NSG and even stated that it was the US which had come up with the rule.

Meanwhile in Seoul:

Indian diplomats in Seoul are working on last minute details ahead of the discussions tonight by the NSG group. The issue was raised at the plenary in Seoul where the NSG meet is on.

The meeting will reconvene later tonight and India expects the issue would come up for discussion.
A lot would depend on the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinpeng to be held in Tashkent at the SCO summit.

The exact mood of the Chinese would be known following that meet. India's foreign secretary S Jaishankar who is at Seoul is leaving no stone unturned.