India not eligible to be part of Nuclear Suppliers Group: U.S. newspaper

New York Times has stated that India does not meet the requirements to join the group. It has also said that Obama administration should make India accept all the rules and regulations of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which are being followed by other countries as well.

NYT stated that the South Asian country should negotiate with its neighbors Pakistan and China regarding nuclear weapons and should also stop its nuclear fuel production.

“China’s opposition to India’s joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group has been the main hurdle in the path of the South Asian country to become a member of the NSG,” report said.

It should be noted that the United States of America had declared India eligible to be a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

The country claimed that an arms race will be prevented in the region if India joins the Group.

Pakistan has also applied for membership of the group stating its inclusion would help reduce the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The country has long sought membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group to access civilian nuclear technology and to also become a supplier of parts, material and services.

Pakistan has announced two new China-backed nuclear power plants near the southern port city of Karachi, costing around $5 billion each and due to be completed by 2020.