Dark clouds still lingering over China’s stand on Indo-US civilian nuclear deal; China has held its card close to its chest. Prithviraj Chavan, the Prime Minister’s envoy on nuclear deal despite spending an hour on Tuesday with Dai Bingguo, the State Councillor and chief political advisor to the Chinese Government, could not succeed to secure China’s open support to India’s nuclear case.
Pakistan and China are among few countries not in favour of nuclear deal. While the two neighbouring countries doing so because of its age-old jealousy, the other countries like New Zealand and Austria are stuck with the non-proliferation ideals. New Zealand, which is facing polls later this year have nuclear issues as a dominant election issue and Austria, which wants to have little to do with nuclear power. In fact, these countries have little stake in India or nuclear commerce with India so are wedded to the non-proliferation ideals.
The two neighbouring countries could impound India’s way to see nuclear deal the day of the light. However, the time is not appropriate to speculate China’s stand. Pakistan has already attempted to do so at the IAEA, but has been persuaded to pull back by the US. Its “all weather” friend China though this time owing to probable international pressure and its recent increasing harmonious relations with India seems to overlook Pakistan’s request to oppose India’s nuclear plans at the IAEA and subsequent meetings of Nuclear Suppliers Group.
China, however, seems in no mood to disclose the card and want to maintain suspense till the actual vote at the IAEA on August 1 when India’s case for further nuclear growth will decide.
Talking to reporters after his meeting with Dai Bingguo, Chavan said: “They conveyed to us that China has no objection to any country going for nuclear development as long as non-proliferation concerns are addressed.”
This statement has been Beijing’s standard line on the nuclear deal issue. The similar statement was expressed by the Chinese side during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s bilateral meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of the G-8 meet earlier this month.
Chavan said that he did not see any obstruction would be put by China at IAEA and NSG meeting despite the cloudiness of its response to the deal so far.
Hope to secure China’s support also get its back by the Dai’s statement, said Nirupama Rao, India’s ambassador at Beijing, which said: “China wanted to further substantiate the strategic and cooperation partnership with India.” However, the hint is opaque and subtle. Nothing concrete can be said till the final say straight from the horse’s mouth.
On the other hand, India, which has been pretty clear about the nature of the NSG exemption that it has to be “unconditional,” seems to be unsatisfied with the draft that America shown privately to it. Sources said the draft is far short of India’s expectations, but we are hoping the final draft that will be circulated later will be as per out expectations.
Soon after winning the vote of confidence in Parliament on July 22, Prime Minister’s special envoys on nuclear issues and several ministers had been sent all around the globe to secure the support of concerned countries to the IAEA and NSG.
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