Ready
for consensus NSG but opposed to UN ban on Azhar
Ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit to India, China on Monday
said it is "ready" for talks with India on its entry into the Nuclear
Suppliers Group but defended extending a hold on India's bid for a UN ban on
JeM chief Masood Azhar, saying Beijing is opposed to anyone making "political
gains in the name of counter-terrorism".
Briefing
media here on Xi's visit to India this week to take part in the BRICS Summit in
Goa, China's Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong again harped on the need to build
consensus over the admission of new members in the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers
Group (NSG).
Asked
if any progress on the issue of India's admission into NSG can be expected in
the meeting between Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the
BRICS Summit, Li said NSG rules stipulate consensus among the members to admit
new ones.
"These
rules are not to be decided by China alone. On the issue, China and India have
maintained good communication and we are ready to continue consultations with
India to build consensus and we also hope India can go to other members of the
NSG as well," Li said replying to a question on China's reservations on
India's admission to the elite nuclear trading club.
"In
this aspect we are also ready for discussions with India to explore
possibilities but things need to be in keeping up with procedures, norms and
regulations of the NSG.
On
this issue, China position is consistent. That is why China has often said
international law must be observed," he said.
Xi
will travel to Goa to attend the BRICS Summit scheduled to held
between October 15-16. The BRICS grouping consists of Brazil, Russia,
India, China, South Africa.
While
India has blamed one country, without naming China, for stalling its membership
in the NSG, both the countries held talks recently to iron out
differences.
After
talks with India, China also has held similar talks with Pakistan, which also
applied for membership in the influential grouping.
Replying
to a question on criticism about China's move to stall India's bid for a UN ban
on Azhar - head of Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad, Li sought
to justify Beijing's recent technical hold in the matter, saying: "China
is opposed to all forms of terrorism."
"There
should be no double standards on counter- terrorism. Nor should one pursue own
political gains in the name of counter-terrorism," he said in a veiled
reference to India, which is pressing for the UN ban against Azhar over his
role in the Pathankot terror attack.
China
had announced the extension of its "technical hold" on India's bid to
get Azhar designated as a terrorist by the UN on October 1, days before it was
to expire. The hold can continue for upto three months more.
During
Monday's briefing, Li said counter-terrorism cooperation will figure in the
BRICS Summit.
"On
counter-terrorism, it is an important area for cooperation among BRICS members
for political security.
Cooperation
on this front will enhance BRICS communication and coordination and will
contribute to world peace and security.
That
is quite obvious," he said.
He
said BRICS Foreign Ministers reached agreement on counter-terrorism during
their meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly last month.
"We
hope and believe that this Goa summit will build on the past consensus and
continue to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and other issues of
political security and contribute to world peace and security," he
said.
Li
was guarded in his reply to a question about Pakistan being "kept
out" of interaction between BRICS and BIMSTEC leaders in Goa.
There
is "no attempt to form a clique" to keep any country out, he
said.
"China
appreciates India's arrangements for the Goa summit and is grateful for
that," he said and referred to interactive meetings between BRICS and
BIMSTEC leaders besides representatives of BRICS Business council on the
sidelines of the summit.
Skirting
any references to Pakistan, he said "all of this show that BRICS members
are ready to have dialogue and communication with others".
"Such
dialogue is transparent. It is an inclusive process and not targeted at any
third party," he said.
"Not
forming cliques to exclude any particular country.
Such
dialogue is an inclusive one. Hope such dialogue will enhance cooperation about
BRICS countries and strengthen cooperation between BRICS and other regional
organisations and regional countries," he said.
Li
also spoke highly about emerging consensus between BRICS leaders on issues
relating to international security and politics.
"This
year marks 10th anniversary of BRICS. With 10 years of cooperation, BRICS
cooperation has expanded and deepened.
In
addition to the economy and trade, finical and people's cooperation on
political security is also deepening," he said.
Li
said in recent years, the BRICS countries have deepened co-operation on cyber
security.
"We
have also set up working group on counter-terrorism.
Work
in this aspect is making progress. Leaders have been meeting periodically to
exchange views on important security issues of regional and international
importance.
"All
this show cooperation politics and security is deepening and making its contribution
to the international security. But of course such cooperation is not targeted
at any third country. It is mainly uphold consensus and build international
peace and promote global development," he said.
China
other BRICS members are ready to strengthen cooperation on issues relating to
international security and politics, he said, adding "it is not about
having an exclusive small circle but (are) open for cooperation".
(THE
STATESMAN)
