US deputy NSA Brian Rhodes endorses India’s quest for membership of NSG

NEW DELHI: US deputy NSA Brian Rhodes endorsed India’s quest for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group on Tuesday even as three top American think-tanks saw strong Chinese determination to stop India from becoming its member.

Ahead of key NSG meet this week and plenary on June 23-24, the thinktanks believe India’s application is stuck due to China’s position that if the NSG countries make an exception for India, they should do the same for Pak. “Pak has an application for NSG membership and China can, therefore, argue what’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” said Micheal Krepon, co-founder of the Stimson Center, based in Washington DC.

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“It would be very surprising if China lets India in without an equal concession for Pakistan,” said a statement from Colin Cookman at the United States Institute of Peace. “We believe through engagement with India and through engagement with groups like NSG, we are in a better position to support India as a good citizen on these issues,” Rhodes said.

China was also opposed to the 2008 clean waiver by NSG, but finally relented. “China feared a negative vote would drive India closer to the US,” according to Walter Andersen, administrative director of South Asia Program at School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University.