Our position consistent: China on India's NSG membership

With India and China set to hold their first Strategic Dialogue meet, Beijing on Friday said New Delhi's entry to the Nuclear Supplier's Group (NSG) must be based on a set of principles agreed by other members while adding that the discussions on specific cases must be carried out later.

"We stick to two-step approach namely, first NSG members need to arrive at a set of principles for the entry of non-NPT state parties into NSG and then move forward discussions of specific cases. Our position is consistent. Apart from India, other non-NPT state parties are also making applications. Our position on those applications is consistent," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said in a press briefing here.

With regards to China's stand on placing Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar in the United Nation's designated terror list, Shuang said Beijing needs 'strong evidence' to back India's efforts on the same.

"China upholds principles of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism and takes part in relevant discussions. Whether last year's application by India or this year's by the relevant country, our position is consistent. Our criteria is only one, we need solid evidence," he said.

Shuang hoped that India "understands' China's position in the matter.

"China India cooperation benefits not only two countries but the region and developing world which can contribute to our solidarity," he added.

This comes at a time when China again put a technical hold on the US move to place 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Azhar as a terrorist in the UN Security Council's 1267 committee.

China and India will hold their first Strategic Dialogue on February 22 in Beijing, during which the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual concern and interest, including "friction points," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said yesterday.

He said Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and Executive vice Foreign minister Zhang Yesui will co-chair the meet to discuss "all issues of mutual interest in bilateral, regional and international domain".