India closer to nuke technology club membership amid opposition from China
Only countries that have ratified the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty are eligible for membership
India appeared closer on Thursday to achieving its US-backed efforts for membership in a group of nations controlling access to sensitive nuclear technology after some previously sceptical countries softened their resistance, diplomats said. But rival China remained opposed.
Countries grouped in the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) are focused on restricting nuclear proliferation by strictly controlling access to which country can gain access to technology used in making atomic weapons.
Only countries that have ratified the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty are normally eligible for membership. India has not. But it has committed to some controls of its nuclear programme and under a nuclear cooperation pact with the United States has gained substantial exemptions to NSG regulations, even while remaining outside of the club.
Two diplomats at an NSG meeting said it ended on Thursday with several countries that were previously opposed to India’s membership softening their resistance.
One of them said that one scenario discussed was additional commitments by India meant to move it closer to non-proliferation commitments that countries party to the Non-proliferation Treaty must adhere to.