New Delhi: Russia is positive about finding a solution to the objections raised by China against India's application for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), President Vladimir Putin has said.
In an interview with India Today on the sidelines of St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said he has had "honest discussions on this issue with our Chinese friends and we have no secrets between us. Our cards are open."
Reiterating Russia’s support to India on nuclear issue, Putin said, “Russia has been cooperating with India only within the limits of the international law. We believe that India with its huge population, has economic problems and lot of energy challenges apart from national security issues.”
While India has secured support of major members of NSG including US, UK, Mexico, Italy and Switzerland, China leads a group of countries that are holding out against giving India membership.
The Chinese media has said that India’s entry to the NSG will “shake the strategic balance in South Asia and even cast a cloud over peace and stability in the entire Asia-Pacific region”. An article in the state-run ‘Global Times’ said that if New Delhi is admitted into the elite grouping, “nuclear balance” between India and Pakistan will be broken.
Another article said that India’s membership will not only touch a "raw nerve" in Pakistan and increase a nuclear arms race but also "jeopardise" Beijing’s national interests.
Another op-ed in the daily this week said that China could support India’s inclusion to the elite nuclear club if New Delhi “played by the rules”.China has maintained that non-NPT signatories should not be admitted into NSG on the grounds that it would undermine efforts to prevent proliferation.
China’s support is crucial as no new member can be inducted into the group unless there is consensus between 48-member body. India stepped up its diplomatic effort as Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar made a quiet trip to Beijing this week to try and win over China’s backing for India’s membership.
