WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Clearing the uncertainty over whether the newly-minted Trump administration will support India’s bid to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, U.S. officials made it clear they’re working closely with the NSG to facilitate New Delhi’s membership.
A State Department spokesperson said Tuesday that U.S. officials haven’t changed their mind on the matter.
“The United States supports India’s full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes, and we believe that India is ready for NSG membership,” the spokesperson said.
Until now, there had been no clarity on the Trump administration’s take on India’s membership in the elite group, which currently consists of 48 members. Former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama both supported India’s efforts in the matter, both nations have been working to finalize membership since Bush’s administration.
China’s vehement opposition to India’s membership has been what’s stalled the process. As of now, there is no word from U.S. officials whether India’s entry will come up on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s agenda when he visits China this week. President Bush went to bat for India against China himself, whether or not Trump will do the same remains to be seen.
“We have worked and continue to work closely with our Indian counterparts and the NSG Participating Governments to help advance India’s case for membership,” the State Department official said.
