NSG entry: PM to persuade South Africa if Delhi efforts fails

With reports indicating that South Africa is one among the handful of nations still opposing NSG entry for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to that country may change things, the way his Switzerland and Mexico visit succeeded in doing. As reported earlier, apart from South Africa, the PM is also set to visit Kenya and Mozambique next month with some reports suggesting that Tanzania is also on the itinerary. Reuters had reported last week that apart from China, a few other countries such as New Zealand, Ireland, Turkey, South Africa and Austria were also opposing Indian entry into the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). But Mr Modi’s visit to South Africa, expected in July, will take place after the crucial NSG meet in the South Korean capital, Seoul, that is expected to take place within the next fortnight.

But with China steadfast in opposing India’s entry, chances of an immediate entry into the grouping appear bleak. But with government sources indicating that India’s efforts to join the NSG are an ongoing process, New Delhi is expected to continue with its efforts at gradually eliminating opposition from the few countries that are opposing its entry. Total consensus in the NSG is needed for any country to join as a member. Mr Modi is expected to personally persuade South Africa to back India’s candidature in case New Delhi’s efforts to secure entry into the NSG at the Seoul meet fail.

Prime Minister Modi’s Africa visit will also be part of the country’s outreach to the African continent, less than a year after the successful hosting of the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) by his government in New Delhi. The visit will also take place in the wake of the fury expressed by African nations recently over attacks on Africans in India. With the Modi government launching sensitisation campaigns across India, it is hoping to ensure that this issue will not affect Indo-African ties.

Meanwhile, as part of its efforts at the outreach to Africa, President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday em-barked on a six-day visit to three African nations — Ghana, Ivory Coast and Na-mibia — to boost trade ties with these countries known for having “solid political system, where democracy has taken roots”.

“All these countries we look at as good countries in terms of a solid political system, where democracy has taken roots and these are all doing reasonably well in their regions,” MEA’s secretary (ER) Amar Sinha was quoted by news agencies as saying. Ghana and Ivory Coast are situated in west Africa, while Nambia is located in the south-western part of the African continent.