Payback for joint statement? China objects to India inclusion in Nuclear Suppliers Group

China has reportedly raised objections to the inclusion of India in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

CNN-IBN reported that China had said India needed to take steps to satisfy the relevant standards of the group, and added that the inclusion of India needed 'very careful consideration' by all member nations.

China's comments come even as US President Obama pledged to 'strongly support' India's entrance into the NSG. However the Chinese government has taken care to mention that it is not opposed to the group carrying out discussions on admitting new members.

"We believe that such (an) inclusion should be conducive to the integrity and effectiveness of the regime and decision should be made on consensus. We notice India's commitment to relevant issues," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

The 'caution' over the admittance of India without 'careful consideration' comes directly after a joint Indo-US statement by Modi and Obama titled the Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean Region’.

The Chinese government expressed its displeasure with the statement which mentions maritime disputes, referring specifically to the South China Sea. China even warned that India should not fall prey to the ulterior motives of the United States.

Reacting to China's statement, US said clarified that the way in which the US and India approach the issue in the Asia Pacific is very similar. "US and India have very close relations with China in many fields. Nobody is aiming for confrontation with China or even to contain China. So these are not policies that are directed at China or aimed at holding China down, it's about what type of order all nations can thrive under in this part of the world," a statement by the US said.

However National Deputy Security Advisor, Ben Rhodes, told reporters that China was discussed between Obama and Modi during their bilateral talks.

"With respect to China, I think that signal - it's not a hostile approach, but it's rather one in which we have two very big countries that are committed to upholding a rules-based way of doing business here in Asia, and I think that can be a stabilising force going forward," the top presidential aide said.

"United States and India are committed to a rules-based order in this part of the world.

"What we have always said in terms of how the US approaches this issue is that we just want to make sure that all countries are following the rules of the road so that if there are maritime disputes, those are resolved peacefully, in line with international law," Rhodes said.

The United States, Britain and other members have argued in favour of India joining the organisation, established in 1975 to ensure that civilian nuclear trade is not diverted for military aims.

But India would be the only member of the suppliers' group that has not signed up to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a 189-nation treaty set up four decades ago to prevent states from acquiring nuclear weapons.

This has caused some NSG states to raise doubts about India joining the group, which plays a pivotal role in countering nuclear threats and proliferation. Some also argue that it could erode the credibility of the NPT, a cornerstone of global nuclear disarmament efforts.

India has yet to formally apply to join the NSG and would need the support of all member states in order to be successful.

Diplomats have said China was among the doubtful countries. Its reservations may be influenced by its close ties to Pakistan, India's rival, which has also tested atomic bombs and is also outside the NPT, analysts say.