India’s bid to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) failed, as China and at least seven
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| Context: | India’s bid to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) failed, as China and at least seven other countries blocked consensus at the elite group which controls transfer of nuclear technology in the world. |
| What is NSG? | The NSG is a 48-nation body established to prevent the civilian nuclear trade from being used for military purposes. The body was formed in reaction to India’s clandestine endeavor to divert nuclear material exported by Canada and the U.S. to building nuclear warheads and its nuclear test in 1974. The group is formed by the signatories to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT). Though the NSG has been open to admitting new members, it has been stringent in opening its doors only to those countries that are part of the NPT or Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). India has signed neither the NPT nor is it a member of CTBT, something that China was quick to note. |
| What is the importance of NSG for India? | Joining the NSG will give India better access to low-cost, clean nuclear energy — important for its economic growth. Nuclear power is the one way by which India the third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, could cut its emissions and reduce air pollution from coal-fired power plants. |
| Why India should be given membership? | India has brought its export controls in line with NSG guidelines. It has also completed the separation of its civil and military nuclear program, and signed an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency – steps no other non-NPT member has even begun to take. India’s membership will be an example of global institutions readiness to accept global realities and change accordingly. |
| Why China is apprehensive? | China sees India’s membership as part of US pivot to Asia strategy. It also don’t want to see India as a major player with equal power in a major global institution. Therefore it is using delaying tactics to halt India’s membership.
1. China wants a criteria based approach for admission of new members to NSG. Based on this criteria membership of all the non-NPT signatory countries, like India and Pakistan must be decided. 2. China says that India’s membership may destabilize the region and shake the strategic balance in the South Asia as it will legitimize India’s nuclear power status. If it joins the group, New Delhi will be able to import civilian nuclear technology and fuels from the international market more conveniently, while saving its domestic nuclear materials for military use. 3. According to China, “The major goal for India’s NSG ambition is to obtain an edge over Islamabad in nuclear capabilities. Once New Delhi gets the membership first, the nuclear balance between India and Pakistan will be broken”. “As a result, Pakistan’s strategic interests will be threatened, which will in turn shake the strategic balance in South Asia, and even cast a cloud over peace and stability in the entire Asia-Pacific region,” said one of Chinese state media organization. |
| Which of the Countries are in favour of India? | USA, Mexico, France, Switzerland, Russia, Japan, UK and Canada |
| Which of the Countries are in opposition of India? | China, Turkey, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand |