Didn’t create hype over NSG issue, govt is engaging with China: Sushma

‘We are continuing our efforts. If someone doesn't agree once, doesn't mean they'll never agree,’ Swaraj said.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj hit out at the Opposition on Wednesday in the Lok Sabha for accusing her ministry of creating a ‘hype’ over India’s bid to attain membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Swaraj told the parliament that her government was making every effort possible to engage with China over the issue and that it will continue to persuade it.

Read: Congress targets Modi over India's failed NSG bid

“We are continuing our efforts. If someone doesn't agree once, doesn't mean they'll never agree. We're engaging with China,” Sushma said.

“We have not created any hype over the issue; it is not right for people to label a wholehearted attempt to achieve something as ‘hype’.”

Congress had targeted the Modi-led government for failing to gain entry into the NSG in the backdrop of China playing a spoiler.

Read: China opposes India's entry into NSG, wants Pakistan too

The 48-nation NSG aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons by restricting the sale of items that can be used to make those arms.

While majority of the elite group members backed India's membership, it is understood that apart from China, countries like Turkey, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand were not in favour of India's entry into the NSG.

China maintains opposition to India's entry, arguing that it has not signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, it has been batting for its close ally Pakistan's entry if NSG extends any exemption for India.