Hope China sees India's logic behind joining NSG: MEA

The Government of India on Thursday confirmed that New Delhi has lodged an application for the membership of the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and expressed hope that Beijing understands the logic behind New Delhi's inclusion in the elite group.

In June this year, China and 16 other countries opposed to to India's membership citing procedural issues as well as India not signing the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which scuttled the chances of India not getting the membership during the plenary session held in Seoul.

"After the NSG plenary meeting in Seoul, we had continued conversations with NSG members and remain engaged in the process we have lodged our application for NSG, it is now for NSG members to consider it and take a decision on it, "Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swarup said.

Swarup said India's inclusion to the elite-member group would only benefit the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

"As far as Chinese position is concerned, we had fruitful talks between the Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division and Chinese lead negotiator. We remain hopeful that eventually, China will see the logic of India being inside the NSG which ultimately will benefit the global nuclear non-proliferation regime," he said.

On Monday, India and China held "substantive and constructive" discussions on the NSG issue in Beijing.

India was represented at the talks by Amandeep Singh Gill,Joint Secretary, Disarmament and International Security Affairs in Ministry of External Affairs and China was represented by the Director General of the Department of Arms Control in Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang Qun.

Apart from China, Turkey and Pakistan has refused to support India in its membership bid.

While Ireland and Austria are awaiting rules for entry of non-NPT countries, New Zealand on the other hand has promised a constructive support to India's bid.