LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.427
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2016

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS FOR NSG MEMBERSHIP

427. SHRIMATI AMBIKA SONI:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the points discussed in the Seoul meeting of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG);
(b) whether India’s plea of NSG membership was raised in the meeting and if so, the outcome thereof; and
(c) what diplomatic efforts were made for the membership of NSG group, with details; and
(d) why the efforts have failed and lessons learnt from them?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) India is not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and, therefore, not privy to the Group’s internal discussions. However, it is understood that at the recent Plenary in Seoul on June 23-24, 2016, there was a long discussion on the issue of membership. An overwhelming number of those who took the floor supported India’s membership and appraised India’s application positively. The broad sentiment within the NSG was to take the matter forward.
(c) India made an application for the membership of the NSG on May 12, 2016 reflecting the progress in its engagement with the NSG that began in 2004. The application was preceded by extensive technical-level outreach with the NSG in Vienna. Government also reached out at the senior official and political level to all NSG members in their capitals.
(d) Consultations on the issue of membership are ongoing within the NSG. Government continues to engage with all NSG members for an early decision on India’s application.
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