India, China discuss NSG membership, disarmament issues

Nearly two-and-a-half months after China scuttled India's NSG membership bid, the two countries today discussed issues of mutual interest in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation with a focus on India's entry into the 48-member elite nuclear trade grouping.
A Chinese delegation led by Director General of Department of Arms Control Wang Qun visited India for talks with an Indian delegation led by Amandeep Singh Gill, Joint Secretary (Disarmament & International Security) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
"The talk covered issues of mutual interest in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation. As agreed by the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in their meeting on August 13, the two sides focused in particular on an issue of priority for India - membership of the NSG," the Ministry said in a press release.

It said the discussions were "candid, pragmatic and substantive".
The two sides also agreed to meet for the next round of talks on a mutually convenient date.
According to sources, India reiterated its "impeccable" track-record in the non-proliferation area and stressed on its requirement for clean energy.

India conveyed to the Chinese side that its implementation of NPT principles was "second to none", sources said.
In the June Plenary of NSG in Seoul, despite strong American support, China stonewalled India's bid to get entry into the group on the grounds that it was a not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Wang, who was the Chief Negotiator for China in the South Korea meet, had told reporters that signing of the NPT "is a must", maintaining that the rule has not been set by China but by the international community.
The 'Digital India' and China's 'Internet Plus' programs
will collaborate to promote manufacturing technology.
"It was emphasised that the complementary strengths of India and China in ICT sector specially computer hardware of China and Computer software of India should be leveraged for competitive and economic advantage," the minutes said.
Reviewing progress made on in feasibility study of raising speed of existing railways and high-speed railway, it was informed at the meeting that China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co Ltd has given an interim final feasibility study report on Chennai-Bangalore-Mysore railway upgradation project to India High-speed Railway Company.

After further modification and improvement of the report, the two sides will discuss further on cooperation and research on project implementation, including design consulting, building construction and project financing so as to promote cooperation and achieve concrete results.
Also, China Railway Siyuan Survey and design Group Company (CRSSDGC) submitted inception report of feasibility in Delhi-Nagpur High-Speed Railways.
"The two sides agreed to have further discussion on providing of data needed for the study," it said.
Also, China Railway Group together with India Railway Station Development Company will conduct research on law, economy and technology and will identify railway stations for study for redevelopment.

They noted the India and China face the same challenges of high fossil fuel share in the primary energy, high import dependence and a drive to enhance the share of cleaner energy sources, such as natural gas and renewable energy.
"China and India are still to achieve satisfactory levels of energy consumption and are reporting growth in energy demand whereas the developed world has now reached near saturation," the minutes said.
They called for a joint strategy to meet the rising energy demand through appropriate policy measures and efforts in the international energy markets.