NZ for ‘constructive approach’ to India’s NSG bid

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 26

New Zealand today said it would adopt a “constructive approach” towards India’s application for the membership of the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). New Zealand was among the handful of nations that opposed India’s entry into the NSG on the pretext that India is a non-signatory to the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Today’s statement by visiting Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key looks guarded one and stops short of a full hearted agreement on India’s candidature. However, sources in the government viewed Key’s comments with optimism and said India was “encouraged by the discussion on the NSG issue and that New Zealand showed understanding of India’s clean energy needs”.

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In his remarks to the media after holding delegation-level talks with PM Narendra Modi, Key said, “We held detailed discussion on India becoming an NSG member in a process that New Zealand will continue to contribute constructively. New Zealand will work with NSG members on the issue and reach a decision as soon as possible.”

Key expressed support for India to become a member of the reformed United Nations Security Council, something that India has been lobbying hard for many years now.

Both sides also decided to work together for an early conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. The talks between the two leaders also focused on terrorism and threat to cyber security. The joint statement issued at the end of the talks called for “eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and their financing, and stopping cross-border terrorism”. There was no mention of Masood Azhar and India’s efforts to get him designated an international terrorist at the UN in the statement.