Russian president Vladimir Putin has decided to support India’s bid for the membership
in the prestigious Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
In an exclusive interview to India Today, Putin said that not only would he support raise
the matter at NSG members meeting next week, but he would also take up the matter with China.
“Russia has been cooperating with India on all nuclear issues but only within the limits of
the international law. We believe that India with its huge population, has economic problems and lot of energy challenges apart from national security issues. And therefore, India cannot be put in the same league as other countries,” Putin was quoted as saying.
Putin added that though Russia has always been supportive of India’s global ambitions, the matter will be taken within the framework of international law.
Meanwhile, ahead of the NSG meeting, British Prime Minisiter David Cameron has assured PM Modi of UK’s “firm support” for India’s NSG membership bid.
“The Prime Minister confirmed that the UK would firmly support India’s application. They agreed that in order for the bid to be successful it would be important for India to continue to strengthen its non-proliferation credentials, including by reinforcing the separation between civil and military nuclear activity,” Downing Street spokesperson had said in a statement.
The United States too while supporting India has urged other members of the elite group to support India’s NSG membership.
“The United States calls on Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) participating governments to support India’s application when it comes up at the NSG plenary, which I think is next week,” State Department Spokesman John Kirby had told reporters at his daily news conference on Thursday.
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