BEIJING, June 12

China said on Sunday that more talks were needed to build a consensus on which countries can join the main group controlling access to sensitive nuclear technology, after a push by the United States to include India.China is seen as leading opposition to the US move to include India in the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), but even New Zealand, Turkey, South Africa and Austria oppose Indian membership, according to diplomats.The NSG aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons by restricting the sale of items that can be used to make those arms.India already enjoys most of the benefits of membership under a 2008 exemption to NSG rules granted to support its nuclear cooperation deal with Washington, even though India has developed atomic weapons and never signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the main global arms control pact.“Large differences” remain over the issue of non-NPT countries joining the NSG, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in an online statement.“With regard to what to do on the issue of non-NPT signatories joining (NSG), China consistently supports having ample discussion on this to seek consensus and agreement and come to a unanimous decision,” Hong said.“The NPT is the political and legal basis for the entire international non-proliferation system,” Hong said, adding that China would support the group in further talks to come to a consensus at an early date.Opponents argue that granting India membership would undermine efforts to prevent proliferation and also infuriate Pakistan.A decision on Indian membership is not expected before an NSG plenary meeting in Seoul on June 20, but diplomats have said Washington has been pressuring hold-outs. Most of the hold-outs oppose  admitting a non-NPT state such as India and argue that if it is to be admitted, it should be under criteria that apply equally to all states rather than under a “tailor-made” solution for a US ally. — Reuters‘Issue not taken up in Vienna’Beijing: China insisted that there “was no deliberation” on the bid by India and other nations at the Vienna meeting that took place last week. “There was no deliberation on any items related to the accession to the NSG by India or any other countries that are not signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT),” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said.      He added that NSG Chair Argentine Ambassador Rafael Mariano Grossi convened an unofficial meeting of the 48-member group on June 9. However, diplomatic sources said earlier that India’s membership was discussed at the meeting and talks had remained inconclusive. PTIRelevance of Nuclear Suppliers GroupThe Nuclear Suppliers Group looks after critical issues relating to the nuclear sector and its members are allowed to trade in and export nuclear technology. The NSG works under the principle of unanimity and even one country’s vote against India will scuttle its bid.