India’s NSG membership issue not low-hanging fruit, need more discussion: China

Li added that China stands with India’s plans to develop nuclear energy to put a cap on carbon emissions and seek development.

New Delhi: China's envoy to India Liu Jinsong on Sunday sought to dispel rumours of a discord between the two nations over the issue of India's NSG membership and said that it's not a simple issue and needed more discussions.

Asked whether China is opposed to India’s membership in the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG), Liu said, “India’s membership in the NSG is not a low-hanging fruit. So, we need further discussion by parties concerned.”

“The issue is about the way of the entry of new members, the procedure that they will follow. China has never stated that it opposes the membership of any country,” the envoy said in an interview with Suhasini Haidar of The Hindu.

He also rejected media reports that said China was the only country to oppose India's membership in NSG and said that “at least eight or nine countries have concern over the procedure or criteria and credential of India’s membership.”

“But the MEA only mentioned one country but it didn’t explicitly say which country. So China will not rush up to take up this hat,” he added.

Asked if that means China doesn’t oppose to India’s membership, he said, “We attach great importance to NPT as the cornerstone of non-proliferation regime. I believe our Indian friends can understand China’s position on this point”.

He added that China stands with India’s plans to develop nuclear energy to put a cap on carbon emissions and seek development.

“However, we believe this issue calls for in-depth discussion by all parties. So, on this issue, our principle is abiding by the rules and finally finding a way out,” he added.