While struggling for the coveted membership in the Nuclear Supplier’s Group (NSG), it has been widely felt that India’s chances are being scuttled by China. The recent NSG plenary in Seoul had witnessed how China is resorting to old tactics to stop India entering the club. In fact, China is more concerned about the entry of Pakistan than India and hence stressing on for a norm-based membership.
Though China is not opposing or stalling the chances of India’s accession to the NSG directly, it is doing all that it could do. Moving on, Pakistan’s never ending agenda of targeting India starting from the border to the multilateral forums should not bother the Government much as we are quite familiar with the neighbour’s regressive, haggard and out dated style of diplomacy. Besides, some countries like Brazil have raised procedure-related issues as India has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as of date, but China’s negative agenda has finally spoiled the pro-active diplomatic efforts pursued by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the highest level.
It is quite strange that the Congress at back home is crying foul over the Modi Government’s failure to get the membership at the NSG. And, ironically many within the BJP, also felt that the country do not the need the membership and the time was not ripe for such a move. Further, while attacking Modi, Congress stated that the country has been leading to a saga of humiliation and India should have not gone begging for a seat at NSG. But, all the opposing camps must be clear that NSG is our need and the move taken by the Prime Minister is timely.
There is no doubt that Modi’s resurgent diplomacy has today given the country a new designation in the global stage than what we had in earlier days. Hence, the opposition from both within and outside the party may continue, but it would be always wiser for the PM to pursue India’s case for NSG. China can well be convinced about India’s need and it is hoped that Modi’s leadership will be able to take it forward.
