China today called for discussions on whether "India and other countries" who have not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) can join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), amid new diplomatic push by influential members of the 48-member grouping to admit India.
Replying to a question about a media report in Pakistan stating that China has assured that it will push for Islamabad's membership into the group if India is admitted, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying today said that whether or not Non-NPT countries be admitted should be subjected to "through discussion" among the NSG members.
"We quite understand the aspiration of the Indian side of taking part in the NSG," she said.
"China's principle is that the NSG is an important part of the non-proliferation regime. This regime is built upon the NPT" followinga long time consensus by the international community, she said. China is part of 48-member NSG group.
NSG chairman Rafael Grossi had visited India this month and held talks with top leaders there about India's admission as part of efforts to build consensus to admit New Delhi.
India's case is being pressed by the US and other influential countries based on its record in non-proliferation and the India-US civil nuclear accord.
China's call for talks among NSG members about "India and other Non-NPT" members indicate that Beijing may push for the case of Pakistan, which in the past has been accused of passing of nuclear technology to Iran and other countries.
China has been carrying on with its own civil nuclear technology collaboration with Pakistan, building many nuclear plants including a new 1100 mw plant with USD 6.5 billion assistance in Karachi which drew criticism from NSG members. It earlier assisted Pakistan building 4 nuclear power plants, two with 300 mw capacity and two other with 320 mw capacity.
Besides seeking US and others countries' support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged China to back India's case for admission in the NSG during his visit here in May.
Justifying China's stand, Hua said, "the NPT review conference this year reaffirmed this consensus" about its importance to global non-proliferation of nuclear technology.
"That is the reason why whether a country is a state party to the NPT is prerequisite of joining the NSG."
"We have noted that apart from India, there (are) other countries (who have) expressed the willingness to join the NSG," Hua said, without directly mentioning Pakistan.
"It has raised the question to the international
community whether or not the non-NPT country can join the NSG. We have also noted efforts by India and other non-NPT parties in the process of international non-proliferation.
"But the issue concerning whether the non-NPT countries can join the NSG should be subjected to thorough discussion by NSG members in accordance with the relevant rules so as to make a decision on based on consensus through consultation," Hua said.
"I need to stress that China's position is not targeted against specific country. It applies to all the non-NPT countries," she said.
Pressed further whether an assurance has been given to Pakistan in this regard, the spokesperson said, "I would like (to) stress that India and other non-NPT countries expressed their aspiration of joining the NSG."
In June, Hua had said China has noted Pakistan's aspirations for NSG membership.
"Pakistan has taken steps towards its mainstreaming into the global non-proliferation regime," she had said when asked about Pakistan's aspiration to join NSG.
"We support Pakistan's engagement with the NSG, and hope such efforts could be conducive to the authority and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime. We wish to strengthen communication and coordination with Pakistan," she had said on June 4.
