Though disappointed by the outcome at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) meeting in Seoul, India on Friday said its membership bid in the nuclear club was an ongoing process. In a veiled reference to China, India said “one country” had “persistently raised procedural hurdles,” while adding “an early decision on India’s application remains in larger global interest.”
“We understand that despite procedural hurdles persistently raised by one country, a three-hour-long discussion took place last night on the issue of future participation in the NSG. An overwhelming number of those who took the floor supported India’s membership and appraised India’s application positively. We thank each and every one of them. It is also our understanding that the broad sentiment was to take this matter forward,” spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup said on Friday.
It is learnt that India’s application remains “active” and can be discussed again at a later point after the NSG builds consensus on certain technical points relating to participation of countries that are not signatories of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). Though India is not a signatory to the NPT, it has a special waiver from the NSG.
In fact, India’s hopes remain afloat due to the fact that the NSG in its statement mentioned that it had discussions on the issue of “technical, legal and political aspects of the participation of non-NPT countries in the NSG” and decided to continue its discussions on the topic.
Besides, several countries during the special meeting also sought an early decision on India’s participation.
“It is also our understanding that most countries want an early decision. A few countries raised issues regarding the process for India’s participation in the NSG. It is self-evident that process issues would not arise if these countries were actually opposed to our participation. This is corroborated by our own bilateral engagement with each of these countries. India believes that an early decision on its application remains in larger global interest. India’s participation in the NSG will further strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and make global nuclear commerce more secure. It would advance energy security and make a difference to combating climate change. We are confident that the NSG will recognize these benefits as it deliberates further on this issue,” Swarup said.
On the issue of some countries raising the issue of signing of the NPT as an important criteria for being an NSG member, India said despite not signing the treaty it has been abiding by all the principles of the NPT and based on its track record New Delhi was given a waiver in 2008 by the same nuclear group.
“It has been suggested that India’s participation in the NSG requires it to join the NPT. Our stand on the NPT is well known. But let me underline that in September 2008, the NSG itself addressed this issue. Paragraph 1 (A) of the September 2008 decision states, that India contributes to the widest-possible implementation of the provisions and objectives of the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. There is thus no contradiction between the NPT and India’s closer engagement with the NSG,” Swarup clarified.
Despite the waiver in 2008, India was keen to get NSG membership in view of its national plan to shift largely to non-fossil fuel-based power generation, which includes nuclear energy.
“India was not in the room. But we understand from our friends and well-wishers that discussions on expansion of membership, or what is called “Participation” in NSG, were certainly not hypothetical. India made its application for membership on May 12, reflecting the progress in its engagement with the NSG. We began this engagement in 2004. A decision on civil nuclear cooperation with India was adopted by consensus by the NSG in September 2008. Subsequent to that, regular discussions with NSG have taken place. The point to note is that this is not a new subject. In fact, it is one that has been discussed within the NSG at every Plenary since 2011. Our application has acquired immediacy in view of India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions envisaging 40 per cent non-fossil power generation capacity by 2030. An early positive decision by the NSG would have allowed us to move forward on the Paris Agreement,” the MEA spokesperson said.