India's NSG dream not yet over as group is likely to meet later this year

New Delhi, June 26: The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is likely to meet again at the end of this year to discuss the procedure for allowing non-NPT signatories to get its membership. The occasion will thus give India another chance to push its bid for a seat in the club after its latest efforts hit a wall, thanks to the rigid objection raised by China. [What is NSG?]

The Chinese obstacle at the NSG plenary which was held in Seoul in South Korea was mainly based on the fact that India is not a signatory to the NPT although observers said the resistance was more because Beijing doesn't want New Delhi get an upper edge vis-à-vis Islamabad and get an advantage over the nuclear balance in South Asia by becoming the NPT member. [Why India's NSG membership is important]

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said India's NSG bid is a long-time process and that New Delhi will continue with its efforts to join the group. He said India has already met the NPT provisions. [India set to be admitted in MTCR on June 27]

Swarup refused to use the term 'no consensus' on India's bid in the NSG plenary as "failure" though he agreed that the results were not at par with India's expectations.

Oneindia News