NSG issue: India, China continue discussions in Beijing

India and China continued their discussions on the NSG issue in Beijing today following the first such meeting held in New Delhi on September 13.

According to sources, Joint Secretary, Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division, Amandeep Singh Gill, held talks with Director-General of the Department of Arms Control of the Foreign Ministry Wang Qun.

The talks were substantive and constructive and the engagement will continue as per the directive of the leadership.

India has long been trying to secure the membership of the 48-member group but China's stance on New Delhi not being a signatory of NPT has been blocking its bid to secure the seat.

India has been pressing China to relent on its opposition, saying that vast majority of the 48-member group back New Delhi's case.

Despite being backed by the U.S. and other countries, India had failed to secure the membership at the NSG plenary session in Seoul in June following China's opposition.

NSG is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.