India remains optimistic about gaining membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) despite continuous opposition from China.

India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday that the Indian government is engaging with Beijing to gain its support.

"We are continuing our efforts. If someone doesn't agree once, doesn't mean they'll never agree. We are engaging with China," she told the country's parliament.

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Swaraj also made it clear that India will never sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). "China did create procedural hurdles. I am stating this again. They said NSG membership could not be given to non-Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) countries. But our engagement with China is continuing," she stated.  

She also revealed that the Indian government kept its NSG campaign low profile. Swaraj dismissed the suggestions that the Indian government had intentionally created hype ahead of Seoul meet.

"It was a low-key affair when we applied for the NSG membership in May. It was only in later stage that we made all sincere attempts. These attempts should not be called a hype," Swaraj said.

India applied for NSG membership on May 12 this year with the support of the United States. Last month, China blocked New Delhi's bid to gain entry into the NSG during the group's plenary meet in South Korea's capital, Seoul. At least 16 member countries including China, Brazil, Ireland, South Africa, Norway, New Zealand, Austria, and Switzerland opposed India's attempt to earn NSG membership. Beijing, at the meeting, insisted that the non-NPT signatory countries cannot become members of the NSG. 

TagsIndia, china, NSG, Nuclear Suppliers Group, Sushma Swaraj