NEWS

We did nothing to block waiver at NSG: China

Source:PTI
September 09, 2008 00:47 IST

China on Monday claimed it did nothing to block the waiver for India at the Nuclear Suppliers Group meeting in Vienna and that it played a "positive" and "constructive" role.

"The Chinese side adopted a responsible and positive attitude with regard to the discussion at NSG and now we see that a consensus was reached," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told CNN-IBN.

"We did not do anything to block it. We played a constructive role. So, I was really surprised by some reports," Yang said.

He said China had adopted a "positive" and "responsible" attitude at the International Atomic Energy Agency, which reached a safeguards agreement with India for its civilian nuclear facilities.

"Before that (NSG) at the IAEA, China also adopted a positive and responsible attitude and the safeguards agreement was reached. So facts speak louder, I am afraid, than some reports," Yang said.

On Saturday, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan had said that India was "surprised" and "disappointed" that China had raised objections and supported objections in the NSG meeting last week to decide on a waiver for India.

He had said that the Indian viewpoint would be conveyed to Yang.

China, after creating difficulties for the waiver at the three-day NSG meet, finally supported the consensus after being pushed by the US and India.

Source: PTI
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