India's Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar reportedly made a secret visit to Beijing this week to seek China's crucial backing for India's Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) membership. The low-profile visit by India's top diplomat comes ahead of the all important plenary meetings in Seoul next week, which will decide India's NSG membership.

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Top sources in both New Delhi and Beijing have confirmed Jaishankar's visit, but did not give any further details. India's foreign secretary is said to have met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi.

In the meeting India is believed to have requested China to not create any hurdles in its bid for NSG membership.            

Jaishankar was India's longest-serving ambassador to China, serving more than four years. He reportedly enjoys personal rapport with Chinese leadership and has extensive knowledge of Chinese diplomacy.           

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting. The meeting is considered equally crucial to India's chances for NSG membership.    

China has staunchly opposed India's entry into the 48-member nuclear club, citing the fact that India is not a signatory to Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and therefore does not qualify for NSG membership. However, experts claim that the real reason for China's tough stance is to help its close ally Pakistan gain entry into the elite nuclear club along with its foe India.

Nevertheless, China has signaled that it might soften its position. This was reflected in an article that had appeared in Chinese state newspaper Global Times earlier this week. The article stated that China may support India's inclusion in NSG if it "played by the rules."

TagsIndia, china, NSG, Nuclear Supplier Group, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar