China opposes ‘double standard’ in enforcing NPT

By Gaurav Sharma

Beijing, Jan 30 (IANS) China, which has repeatedly blocked Indian's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), said on Wednesday it is opposed to double standard in enforcing the NPT as P-5 members of the UN Security Council gathered here to discuss nuclear proliferation.

Beijing opposes India's bid to enter the 48-member NSG, citing New Delhi's non-signatory status to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a prerequisite to becoming the member of the elite nuclear trade regulation watchdog.

This frustrates India as most NSG members, including the US and Russia, have supported its entry into the bloc due to its clean nuclear record. In fact, China supports its ally Pakistan's bid to be the member, citing the exception being made to New Delhi.

"It (NPT) has played an important role in all the three aspects and China is committed to all three important goals of the treaty," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said here.

"We believe that the international community should stick to multilateralism and promote progress the three pillars namely non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

"We believe we should conduct wide consultations and look for practical measures by opposing double standards in enforcing the treaty," he said in an oblique reference to India.

"We believe we should enhance its authority and effectiveness, universality and do a better job in preventing nuclear proliferation," he said.

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