Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai? China's People's Daily questions NSG waiver

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Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai? China's People's Daily questions NSG waiver

1 Sep 2008, 2101 hrs IST, Saibal Dasgupta,TNN


BEIJING: China on Monday sent out strong signals it is considering resisting India's efforts to obtain approval of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group for the nuclear deal with the United States. ( Watch )

The People's Daily , the official organ of the Communist Party of China, published an article from an expert attached to a government-run think-tank questioning the merits of the deal.

The views expressed in the article comes as a surprise because the Chinese foreign ministry has significantly watered down its initial objection to the India-US deal over the past several months. It has been making vague statements over the past few months saying every country has the right to develop its capability for using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes but pointedly avoiding any criticism of the deal.

The article has raised issues concerning India's motives as well as the talked about apprehensions in the international community over nuclear safeguards. Beijing is making it clear that the issue concerning India's ability to provide the necessary safeguards is far from settled.

"Whether it is motivated by geopolitical considerations or commercial interests, the US-India nuclear agreement has constituted a major blow to the international non-proliferation regime," it said.

China is not among the six nations that have raised objections in the NSG meeting. Some observers believe Beijing will refrain from directly opposing the deal at the next meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group in early September, there are indications that China would do nothing to push India's case among its many friends and allies in the NSG.

One possible strategy of the Chinese leadership could be to get the issue postponed till another meeting of the NSG at a later date. India can hardly afford a postponement as it is looking forward to the US Congress to ratify the deal after it clears the NSG. The US Congress is due to be adjourned for the presidential elections in late November.

"Irrespective of the fate of the US-India nuclear agreement, the United States' multiple standards on non-proliferation issues have met with a sceptical world," the article said.

The paper has criticised the initial proposal made by the US to the NSG saying it is "vague" and "left the concerned papers very dissatisfied". It pointed out that the deal empowers India to carry out nuclear tests even after obtaining approval NSG, "as there is no constraining link between supply of nuclear materials and India conducting a nuclear test". It said: "India need not assume strict non-proliferation responsibilities" it said.



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In an energy hungry world China could do little favor to its own interests if it opposes this deal... Fact is India and China are fast becoming key players in the energy equation...