China denies it blocked India at NSG meet

China denies it blocked India at NSG meet

Sandeep Dikshit

Chinese Foreign Minister says he was surprised by reports

— Photo: PTI/ Kamal Singh 
 
For consensus: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi hold talks in New Delhi on Monday.

NEW DELHI: China has denied attempting to block an exemption for India at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) meeting in Vienna.

After days of protracted negotiations, the NSG lifted the sanctions on India, freeing it to buy nuclear material and technology from its 45 members.

“I am surprised by these reports. Facts speak louder than words. China has always worked responsibly towards consensus both in the International Atomic Energy Agency and the NSG,” visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said through a Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson.

Some media reports from Vienna spoke of Chinese opposition to an exemption to India from the NSG guidelines.

Mr. Yang arrived here on Monday afternoon from Kolkata. He was closeted in talks with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee after which he attended a dinner in his honour.

Mr. Yang also called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Separately, Mr. Mukherjee said India would wait for the ratification of the 123 Agreement by the United States Congress before entering into bilateral agreements with other supplier countries.

His observation follows Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s appeal to India not to “disadvantage” American companies if Congress is unable to approve the 123 Agreement.

“The approval by the Board of Governors of the IAEA for the India-specific safeguards agreement and the NSG waiver are the passports to enter into international nuclear trade. As far as the procedure is concerned, we shall have to wait for the ratification of the 123 Agreement,” Mr. Mukherjee said.