Vienna meet may give fresh hopes for India's NSG dreams

NEW DELHI: The special envoy appointed by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Rafael Grossi, is likely to propose a two-stage process to admit non-NPT members at the forthcoming meeting of the NSG consultative group in Vienna on November 11-12.

For NSG aspirant India, a positive decision in its favour appears unlikely this time. China's opposition is entrenched, and two rounds of discussions between Indian and Chinese delegations led by Amandeep Gill and Wang Qun failed to bridge the divide between the two sides.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said, "We will seek a solution that applies to all non-NPT countries and then we will discuss the specific application of relevant nonNPT country," Hua Chunying, said. "We are willing to keep communication an contact with India in this regard." While China has agreed to participate in the consultation process, Chinese diplomats have questioned whether Grossi actually enjoys the mandate of all countries.

Meanwhile, India made its maiden appearance at the MTCR meeting in Busan, Korea on October 21, its first after gaining membership to this group. The NSG impasse has shadowed India's membership of this group which happened earlier this year.

Last week, New Zealand which has been opposed t non-NPT states like India entering the NSG, reportedly took a more constructive approach to New Delhi's bid. In his conversations with the Indian leadership, New Zealand PM John Key also put forward certain proposals to India which prompted Indian officials to declare satisfaction at the talks even though there was no outright pledge of support from New Zealand.

Other fence-sitters during the June plenary are unwilling to commit one way or another. Ireland, Austria even Switzerland are waiting for a decision that will reconcile their non-proliferation positions with opening up of membership of the group Turkey remains opposed to India because of their ties with Pakistan.