The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) failed to take a decision to make India a member of the elite atomic trading club with objections and reservations by the members that the country does not fulfill the requirements including nonsigning of the Non-Proliferation-Treaty (NPT).
India’s application is now expected to be deliberated upon by the atomic trading club at its plenary later this month in Seoul.
Though the US was strongly pushing India’s case and most member countries supported it, it was China which opposed it arguing that the NSG should not relax specific criteria for new applicants. The NSG controls access to sensitive nuclear technology, a report in Times of India said on Saturday.
A number of countries, which were initially opposed to India’s bid on the ground that it was yet to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), eased their positions and were ready to work out a compromise under pressure from the United States, which is going out of the way to support New Delhi’s entry. However, China stuck to its position.
The NSG works under the principle of unanimity and even one country’s vote against India will scuttle India’s bid. Besides China, the member countries in the 48-nation group which were opposed to India’s membership were New Zealand, Ireland, Turkey, South Africa and Austria.
Sources here said chair of the NSG has taken note of views expressed by member countries and will list the matter for further discussion at NSG plenary scheduled to be held in Seoul on June 24.
India has asserted that being a signatory to the NPT was not essential for joining the NSG as there has been a precedent in this regard, citing the case of France. The NSG looks after critical issues relating to nuclear sector and its members are allowed to trade in and export nuclear technology. Membership of the grouping will help India significantly expand its atomic energy sector.