New Delhi: On the eve of NSG's crucial plenary in Seoul, France has strongly backed India’s bid to join the exclusive club of 48 nations that looks after critical issues relating to nuclear sector.
In a statement issued today, the French Foreign Ministry asked the member states to take a “positive decision” in the Seoul plenary on India’s application saying “New Delhi’s entry would bolster global efforts against nuclear proliferation”.
“France considers that India’s entry into the four multilateral export control regimes (NSG, MTCR, The Australia Group, The Wassenaar Arrangement) will bolster international efforts for combating proliferation. India’s participation in these bodies will help better regulate the export of sensitive goods, whether they are nuclear, chemical, biological, ballistic or conventional materials or technologies. In line with its active and long-standing support to India’s entry to the NSG as a full-fledged member, France calls on its members, who are meeting on June 23 in Seoul, to take a positive decision,” it said.
A key member of the 48-nation grouping, France also asserted that India’s participation in nuclear control regimes would help better regulate the export of sensitive goods, whether they are nuclear, chemical, biological, ballistic or conventional materials and technologies.
France’s backing came amidst stiff opposition by China to India’s entry into NSG which said that India's entry into the bloc was not on the agenda of tomorrow’s meet as New Delhi was not a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The French Foreign Ministry also mentioned that strategic partners since 1998, France and India shared common goals regarding the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.
These goals were reaffirmed during the visit of the President of the French Republic to India, from January 24 to 26, it added. The French President was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations here.
On Tuesday, the US White House had in a statement said India was “ready” for NSG membership and asked participating governments to support India’s application at the plenary session of NSG in Seoul starting on Thursday.
China maintains opposition to India’s entry, arguing that it had not signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, it has been batting for its close ally Pakistan’s entry if NSG extends any exemption for India.
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.
With PTI Inputs
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