NEW DELHI: India today hit back at China for its statement that Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership can’t be a “farewell gift”, saying it was not seeking the membership to the 48-nation grouping as gift but instead based on its non-proliferation record.
“India is not seeking NSG membership as a gift. India is seeking it on its non-proliferation record,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said at a briefing here.
“I, of course, cannot speak for other applicants,” he said in an obvious reference to Pakistan, with questionable non-proliferation record, also making efforts to get into the NSG.
Earlier this week, China had strongly reacted to outgoing Obama administration’s assertion that Beijing was an “outlier” in the efforts to make India a member of the elite nuclear club. (AGENCIES)
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