Ahead of this week's Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) meeting in Vienna, China on Monday said that its stand on India's bid for membership to the elite nuclear club remains unchanged. This means that Beijing will reiterate its earlier position that New Delhi must sign the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to gain entry into the coveted nuclear club.

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"This Friday in Vienna a plenary session of the NSG will be held. Our position is subject to no change as of date," said Lu Kang, spokesman of the China's foreign ministry.

The crucial meeting in Vienna will be held on November 11-12.  At the meeting, member countries would discuss processes to include non-NPT signatories such as India and Pakistan into the 48-member nuclear club.   

China's refusal to soften its stance comes days after National Security Advisors (NSAs) of both countries met in Hyderabad to discuss security and other contentious issues. The NSG impasse was reportedly discussed during the crucial meeting.

Referring to the NSAs meeting in Hyderabad, Lu said China is in touch with relevant parties including India and there has been constructive dialogue and coordination on this issue.  

China and seven other countries had blocked India's entry into NSG in June at a specially conveyed meeting in South Korea. Beijing apparently led the opposing group, much to the dismay of New Delhi.

The grand snub meant that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic efforts to convince China ahead of the Seoul meeting had been in vain. Consequently, thousands of Indian protestors took to the street to protest against China's anti-Indian stance.

Several Indian politicians also called for a boycott of Chinese products ahead of the Diwali festival. The boycott reportedly led to significant drop in the sale of Chinese products across several Indian cities.

Beijing allegedly vetoed India's NSG bid on the behest of Pakistan. Meanwhile, China is said to have offered unconditional support to Pakistan's NSG membership bid.  

Tagschina, India NSG, China and India, China and India NSG, Nuclear Supplier Group