NSG to discuss India's case; officials call it significant

New Delhi, May 25 (PTI) India's quest for membership
of the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) has received a
boost with the non-proliferation body deciding to include the
issue at its plenary meeting in the third week of June, a move
termed as positive by officials here Wednesday.
The move came following an outreach meeting between
India, which was led by Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, and
the NSG Troika comprising The Netherlands, New Zealand and
Hungary at The Hague on Monday.
Describing the decision by the 46-member NSG as
significant, the officials here feel that it will also help
India in taking forward its discussions with other
multi-lateral export control regimes like the Missile
Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement,
and the Australia Group (AG) as the objectives of these bodies
were common.
However, the officials said the decision to initiate
discussion will not ensure India's membership automatically
and will require series of consultations with other members
of the world's premier non-proliferation body.
"It is for the first time, NSG has decided to initiate
the discussion on India's membership. It is significant and
positive. India attaches lot of importance to NSG and its
joining the group," officials here said.
India, which is engaged in outreach meetings with NSG
members, has already received support from the US, Russia and
France, three major countries in the 46-member group.
"Considering India's track-record, and commitment to
non-proliferation, we are hopeful of positive outcome in due
course," officials said.
Nirupama Rao is understood to have conveyed India’s
concerns while explaining its position of having a special
status since September 2008 when NSG allowed global nuclear
trade with India despite it being a non-signatory to the NPT.
Along with India, Pakistan and Israel are also vying
for membership of NSG. While it is unlikely for Israel to get
NSG membership, China is strongly pushing Pakistan’s case.