Vivek Raghuvanshi
NEW DELHI — Despite US support, India was unable to gain entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) at the June 23-24 Seoul plenary meeting because of Chinese opposition. However, analysts in India say the government will continue its push to join the elite club.
The NSG plays a major role in governing civil nuclear trade on a global level.
"China's veto [of] India's application in the Seoul NSG plenary was certain. But the Narendra Modi regime seems intent in making it unanimous, diplomatically exposing and isolating China, and paving the way for its eventual entry in the belief that Beijing may not be able to resist in the face of such massive support for India's membership," said Bharat Karnad, a research professor and national security expert at the Centre for Policy Research, an India-based public policy think tank.
A senior official with India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that "New Delhi will push ahead," adding that India is "likely to get the entry at the next NSG meeting by the end of the year."
"The NSG has set up a panel for informal consultations on India's membership. This panel will be headed by Argentine Ambassador Rafael Grossi, permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna and chair of the Nuclear Suppliers Group" the official said.
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