India is ready for NSG membership: US official

“I’d point you back to what the president said during his visit to India in 2015, where he reaffirmed that the US view was that India meets missile technology control regime requirements and is ready for NSG membership,” State Department Spokesman John Kirby said on Friday. 

His remarks came in response to a question on reports that China and Pakistan have joined hands to oppose India becoming a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

“I’m going to refer you to the governments of China and Pakistan with respect to their positions on India’s membership,” Kirby said. 

Defending its move to block India’s entry into the NSG, China on Saturday claimed that several members of the 48-nation bloc shared its view that signing of the NPT was an ‘important’ standard for the NSG’s expansion. 

India, Pakistan, Israel and South Sudan were the four UN member states which have not signed the NPT. Last month, Pakistan Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had said China has helped Pakistan to stall India’s bid to get NSG membership.