New Delhi (Sputnik) — India has continuously been pursuing it's Nuclear Supplier's Group (NSG) ambition and it has been in touch with China on garnering the support of its northern support in gaining entry into the elite 48-member group that deals with fissile materials and nuclear technology.
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"The Government is engaged with all NSG members including China at the appropriate levels for a decision on India's application for membership of the Group. In this regard, the most recent talks were held in Beijing on April 10, 2018," VK Singh, India's minister of state for external affairs, told Parliament on Thursday.
India had been trying to win over China's confidence on the matter, but a protracted military standoff at the Doklam plateau last summer further strained relations between the neighbors, which had already been locking horns over certain areas of the disputed border.
"All established institutional mechanisms including Special Representatives Talks, meetings of Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs, border personnel meetings, flag meetings, as well as diplomatic channels continue to be utilized to address matters related to India-China border affairs," VK Singh added.
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Meanwhile, diplomatic sources told Sputnik that India would once again pursue its entry into the NSG, considering its non-proliferation track record. The next NSG meeting is scheduled for December this year.
India is a member of three major export control regimes, including the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime and the Wassenaar Arrangement.