New Delhi: The plea of India that China consider India’s membership bid on its own merits is a clear indication that India wants China to delink New Delhi's membership bid from that of Islamabad, something that the Chinese have not been willing to do so far.
Observers feel that there is very little chance of China relenting despite the Modi-Xi meeting, but add that if PM Modi manages to convince China, it would be a major diplomatic coup for India.
The final outcome and China’s decision will be known will be known only on Friday, the last day of the NSG plenary session.
Ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Vikas Swarup, when asked about China’s response at the Modi-Xi meeting, refused to comment, saying, “You know, it is a complex and delicate process. We are waiting (to see) what kind of news comes from Seoul. I will not make any more comment on this.” Mr Swarup did say that most of the time of the Modi-Xi meeting was devoted to the NSG issue.
