China denies blocking India's bid to be Nuclear Suppliers Group member

‘We’ll work with Indian colleagues to find a solution for India’s entry,’ said China Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs.

New Delhi:

China has denied that it was blocking India's bid for a membership in elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and said it will -"work-" with the members of the 48-nation grouping as well as India to find a solution for India's entry into it.

Liu Zhenmin, China's Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, also said that the issue needs to be deliberated on among relevant parties.

-"That's not true. I think, the membership of NSG is not a new issue. It has been an issue for many years. This should be sorted out together with the members of the NPT,-" Liu Zhenmin told PTI when asked whether China was blocking India's entry to the elite club.

-"Members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group should be party to NPT. So, I think China will also work with others including Indian colleagues together to find a solution.

-"This should be consulted among relevant parties. As a very friendly country, China wants to have good cooperation with India at the international arena on all issues,-" the Chinese minister said. He is in Delhi to attend a multi-lateral legal meet.

Earlier this week, China claimed that several members of the group shared its view that signing of the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was an -"important-" standard for NSG's expansion.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang in Beijing had said that not only China but also a lot of other NSG members are of the view that NPT is the cornerstone for safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. The Chinese action is apparently at the behest of Pakistan, which is also seeking an entry into the bloc.

India is not a party to Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, the international pact aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, maintaining that it was discriminatory.