Switzerland on Friday joined the group of countries who have opposed India's bid for Nuclear Suppliers Group membership even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi got assurance from the European country of its support only a few weeks back, reported ANI. On Thursday, after at least five Nuclear Suppliers Group member countries blocked India’s membership to the body, the United States has said it wants to see India’s application considered, PTI reported.
“We have made clear our desire to see India’s application be seriously considered,” State Department Spokesman John Kirby said. The 48-member body reconvened in Seoul on Friday morning, where India’s membership will be taken up again.
However, China's chief negotiator has said no new member who is not party to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty will be allowed, and Switzerland also cited the same reason for its opposition. Earlier, China appeared to be a sole opponent against India’s membership, but on Thursday, Ireland, Turkey, Brazil, Austria and New Zealand are not supporting India’s induction into the international body. Some member countries blocked the bid, citing that India is not party to the Nuclear Non-profileration Treaty. India, Pakistan, Israel and South Sudan have not signed the NPT.
Pakistan, which is not an NSG member, has attempted to block India’s entry to the group, along with China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Tashkent for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, discussed India’s bid to join the NSG with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier on Thursday.
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