China rebutted India’s assertion that France was included in the Nuclear Suppliers Group without signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty, saying France was a founder member of the elite group and so the issue of accepting its membership does not arise. Ahead of President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit, China also called for “in-depth” talks to build consensus over India’s admission into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), days after Pakistan staked claim to join the 48-member grouping with purported backing from Beijing. India has been talking of settling pending territorial issues through dialogue to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas whereas China has not changed its stance once in favour of India. China in return has hardened its stand by saying that all new members that join the NSG must sign Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). This is a major setback for India’s foreign policy in accordance with India’s oil explorations in South China Sea especially in collaboration with Vietnam. The issue was expected to figure in the talks during President Mukherjee’s visit to China from Tuesday. Mukherjee would arrive in Chinese city of Guangzhou and later arrive at Beijing on 25th May during which he is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese leaders including his counterpart Xi Jinping. Historically, South China Sea has been in dispute between China and eight other countries in this region, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei. However, the situation has never been so alarming as is in recent times.
In turn, tensions between China and other countries in this region have significantly increased. As South China Sea has huge oil and gas reservoirs and also serves as the most critical shipping route between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, China wants to establish itself as the undisputed power in the region. India needs to focus primarily on internal socio-economic processes and prevent the emergence of religious and other conflicts in society. China is at least 50 years ahead of India in terms of economic and social development and India has much to learn from it.
