China's state media has defended Pakistan's nuclear record and argued that any exemption to India for NSG entry should also be given to Pakistan. While India strives for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) inclusion, it prevents Pakistan from joining by insisting on the latter's alleged bad record of nuclear proliferation. This is probably the first time Chinese official media has directly made a case for Pakistan's inclusion in the NSG.
"China and other countries are opposed to NSG including India while excluding Pakistan, because it means solving India's problem but creating another bigger problem. If India joins hands with Pakistan to seek NSG membership, it seems more pragmatic than joining alone," said the article titled 'China no barrier to India joining NSG' carried by the Global Times. The article came as the NSG began its meeting in Seoul, even as the Chinese foreign ministry said India's admission is not on the agenda.
The NSG remains divided over non-NPT countries like India becoming its members, China's Foreign Ministry had said on Monday less than 24 hours after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had exuded hope that "we would be able to convince China to support our entry to the NSG." "The NSG plenary meeting started on Monday and will end on Friday in Seoul. In a bid to become a member of NSG, the Indian government has launched a diplomatic offensive and Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have embarked on foreign visits to win support from NSG member states," the article said.
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