Keeping the balance
Nuclear Suppliers Group (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
Some international forces might be afraid of China’s positive and balanced role in world politics but for those who desire to see the world a house of peace and prosperity; China is a ray of hope, trust and confidence. Just to create a balance particularly in the South-Asian region China is doing its best to crush the hegemonic designs of stubborn countries like India. In other words China is playing the role of a moderator in the region. China’s effort of stopping India from becoming the member of NSG is the best example in this regard. Nuclear Suppliers Group (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.
As far as Pakistan is concerned, it fulfills all criteria for the NSG membership except for the NPT requirement, which India, too, does not meet. Pakistan wants simultaneous entry into the group with other non-NPT states
At present there are 48 member countries of the NSG. Pakistan and India are not on the list. With a very strong backing of the US, India has been striving to become the member of this group since long. It was first time in November 2010 when US President Obama announced US support for India’s participation in the Nuclear Suppliers Group during his state visit to India. Since then India and US are struggling to materialise the dream of making India the member of NSG but because of very strong opposition from member countries, dreams are still the dreams. In the last week of June 2016 in Seoul, a meeting was held in which representatives of the 48-member NSG once again opposed India’s bid to become the 49th member. They cited the fact that New Delhi has yet to commit to the non-proliferation regime. The Indian Express reported that among those who opposed Indian bid the main six countries were China, Brazil, Austria, New Zealand, Ireland and Turkey. The paper further said that only a unanimous vote will see New Delhi’s bid sail through. Now this November Vienna has once again provided a platform to the NSG members to sit together and settle the issues regarding new membership of NSG. But on the other hand China has categorically announced before the meeting there is ‘no change’ in its stand on India’s membership bid. China has maintained its stand that India’s bid will only be considered if rules for entry of non-NPT countries are finalised by the elite group. Mr Lu Kang, spokesman of the Chinese foreign ministry, said while talking to media, “Our position is subject to no change as of date.” According to various media reports, China’s harsh reaction came just a few days after India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, failed to reach a consensus on the issue. China has also made a case for Pakistan’s inclusion in the group if the NSG decides to grant an exception to India for its non-NPT status.
As far as Pakistan is concerned, it fulfills all criteria for the NSG membership except for the NPT requirement, which India, too, does not meet. Pakistan wants simultaneous entry into the group with other non-NPT states that aspire to participate. Pakistan is of the opinion that there must be no specific exemption or relaxation of rules for any country; all applications submitted by the non-NPT states for the membership of NSG must be measured up with the same yard-stick. A non-discriminatory approach towards the NSG expansion would not only ensure strategic stability in South Asia, but would also serve the cause of international non-proliferation efforts. One thing more is very important that the rules and regulations for joining the NSG are devised for keeping this world safe from every type of nuclear terrorism. Special favours to India in this particular context would simply damage the international efforts against terrorism as India has ever been involved in all type of terrorist activities in the region. From the Indian Held Kashmir to Pakistan and from Sri Lanka to China, the stories of Indian involvement in terrorist activities are not hidden from anyone. By blessing India with the membership of NSG would be an injustice to all those who have been facing the brunt of Indian terrorism since long. And this situation must be an eye-opener to Japan also who has recently decided to provide civil nuclear technology to India. By providing civil nuclear technology to India, Japan will promote an imbalance of power in the region. Japan’s kindness would have been a true blessing for the region if Pakistan were also among the beneficiaries of this civil nuclear technology.