Will India become 49^th member of NSG?

June 20^th would be a crucial day for Indian diplomacy as India’s application for membership in the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is set to come up for discussion at the group’s plenary meeting in Seoul on that day. Few countries like China, South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, Turkey and Austria, are opposed to India’s entry into this elite club. India is yet to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty therefore these countries are opposing Indian stand.

India and South Africa share a historical relationship and India was the first country to break trade ties with the apartheid government and had consistently called for comprehensive sanctions to be imposed against it at the United Nations.

Case for India

India has embarked on a nuclear power programme in a bid to address its energy deficit and also to fulfil its commitment to ensure a clean energy mix. India had hoped that South Africa would be sympathetic to India’s need in this regard. South Africa was the first country in the world to give up its nuclear weapons programme in 1989. its opposition appears to be motivated by geopolitical rather than ideological reasons.

China factor

China’s relations with South Africa have deepened in recent years. The year 2014 was termed the “Year of South Africa in China”, while 2015 was marked as the “China Year in South Africa”. The change in the South African position may have something to do with the growing Chinese influence in the country.

Course ahead

India should obviously step up efforts to engage with the South Africa government to make it understand India’s viewpoint. Until that happens, the road to Seoul is going to be via Beijing.