New Delhi: With foreign secretary S. Jaishankar making a secret visit to China on June 16 and 17 to convince Beijing to drop its opposition to India’s NSG membership push ahead of the crucial NSG meeting in Seoul that is expected on June 24, India on Sunday said China was not opposing its entry and had only spoken about “procedure”, while New Delhi announced it would not oppose any county’s entry into the NSG, including Pakistan.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said New Delhi had “no role” in Pakistan’s NSG application since it (India) was not a member, but added every country’s membership application “should be judged on its merits”.
She also said Mr Jaishankar had conveyed to Beijing it should focus on India’s credentials in non-proliferation instead of just the criteria for admission. She added she was confident that India would be able to convince China and a “consensus is evolving” on India’s membership.
The minister said the South China Sea issue was not discussed during Mr Jaishankar’s visit but added that Japan had become a permanent participant in the Malabar exercises along with India and the US. India fully well realises that its dreams of joining the 48-nation NSG group will be shattered if China continues to oppose its entry.
Russia too is backing India in NSG
With foreign secretary S. Jaishankar making a secret visit to China on June 16 and 17 to convince Beijing to drop its opposition to India’s NSG membership push ahead of the crucial NSG meeting in Seoul that is expected on June 24, India on Sunday said China was not opposing its entry and had only spoken about “procedure”, New Delhi is relying on quiet diplomacy away from the media glare to press its case with Beijing.
Speculation is rife that India may attempt to work out an informal deal with China, with New Delhi indicating it is not opposed to Pakistan’s entry. But whether India’s bid to get China to relent will bear fruit or not seems to be the million-dollar question.
There are also reports that Russia is actively backing India’s candidature, with just days to go for the Seoul meeting. As the NSG meeting date nears, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ms Swaraj may also personally reach out to the Chinese leadership.
“China is not opposing membership of India in NSG, it is only talking of criteria and procedure. I am hopeful we would be able to convince China as well to support our entry to NSG,” Ms Swaraj said.
“I think that there is a consensus which is being made and I am sure India will become a member of NSG this year,” she said, adding: “The NSG entry is crucial for India’s energy policy.” She further added: “I’m myself in contact with 23 nations, while 1 or 2 raised concerns, I think a consensus is there.”
The minister said as far as Pakistan’s entry is concerned, India, being a non-member of NSG, cannot comment on its entry. “But we will not oppose entry of any nation to NSG,” she said.
