Indian and Chinese officials have held a high level meeting at New Delhi.
A Chinese delegation was led by Director General of Department of Arms Control Wang Qun and Indian delegation was led by Amandeep Singh Gill, Joint Secretary (Disarmament & International Security) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
The talk covered issues of mutual interest in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation.
The two sides focused in particular on an issue of priority for India – membership of the NSG.
India reiterated its “impeccable” track-record in the non-proliferation area and stressed on its requirement for clean energy.
India conveyed to the Chinese side that its implementation of NPT principles was “second to none”.
The two sides also agreed to meet for the next round of talks on a mutually convenient date.
Background:
In the June Plenary of NSG in Seoul, despite strong American support, China stonewalled India’s bid to get entry into the group on the grounds that it was a not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).