In response to a question on Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said: “The [NSG] meeting regarding the accession of non-NPT countries agreed to continue with such discussions. I need to assist the Chair to get to any future discussion, soon or not so soon, with a clear understanding and a purpose,” Mr. Grossi said. “We came to Seoul thinking that we could take a decision [on India’s application], there and then. “Otherwise we could have just dropped the ball, called the discussion off, said simply there is no consensus and we all go home. Mr. Grossi’s comments indicate that it wasn’t only China’s opposition to India that derailed discussions on India’s membership, but concerns raised by several countries that he refused to name, citing strict confidentiality rules of the NSG.

Source: The Hindu June 27, 2016 20:56 UTC