Vladimir Putin to support India's bid for NSG membership

Saint Petersburg, June 19: Russian President Vladimir Putin is firm to support India's bid for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership. Putin cleared his intention during an interview to a magazine. Russia has been a key supporter of India since the time of cold war.

Putin is positive about finding a solution to the objections raised by China against India's application for NSG membership, this has been revealed in an interview with India Today on Saturday.

Putin also made it clear that he would raise the issue at a meeting set to start from June 20 in Seoul.

President Putin has also spoken to China over India's bid for NSG membership.

"Russia has been cooperating with India on all nuclear issues but only within the limits of the international law. We believe that India with its huge population, has economic problems and lot of energy challenges apart from national security issues. And therefore, India cannot be put in the same league as other countries. While we must act within the international law, we must look at all the opportunities to ensure, provide and support India's interests,"Putin was quoted as saying.

India's chances of entering the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) "appears positive" with most countries of the 48-member group supporting New Delhi's bid at a meeting in Vienna, it was learnt, even as China was reported to have opposed India's membership along with five other countries.

OneIndia News