India is ready for full membership in NSG: U.S.

The United States continued to re-iterate its support towards India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), saying India is more than ready to join the elite group, adding that they will continue to work constructively with New Delhi and with members of the NSG on India's accession in the months ahead.

Addressing a press conference here, Director, Office of Press Relations Washington, DC Elizabeth Trudeau said that the U.S. has made its intentions towards India's membership in the four multilateral export control regimes since 2010, adding that "we continue to believe India is ready for the NSG"

When asked if the U.S. took up the matter with China who has persistently been rooting against India's membership, she added that the government did not reach a consensus on the matter with the other NSG participating governments on admitting any 'new applicants' into the group, which was very disappointing.

"We continue, though, and will be, continued to work constructively with India and with members of the NSG on India's accession in the months ahead," Trudeau said.

Talking about the possibility on any progress on the matter after the last meeting on NSG, she said that the proceedings within the group are confidential, but the U.S. believes India is ready and that they will continue working towards that goal.

This development comes after U.S. President Barack Obama told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Laos earlier, that his government "strongly supports" India's NSG membership bid.

"Reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and India, the President underscored that the United States strongly supports India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)," a White House official said.

The NSG will meet yet again this year to discuss the process of inclusion of countries like India, who have not signed the NPT. A special plenary session of the NSG can be called by the year end.

According to sources, there is possibility of India's inclusion in the NSG, while New Delhi will continue to discuss the issue with China.

The NSG in June failed to reach a consensus on New Delhi's membership application after several members of the 48-member group insisted on adhering to NPT conditions for admission.