Russia backs India's NSG membership bid

Moscow, Dec 17 (PTI) Backing India's bid to become an NSG member, Russia has said it is ready to assist in arriving at a "positive decision" whereby the south Asian country can join the elite 45-country nuclear club. A joint statement issued after the 12th annual Indo-Russian summit talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev here Friday made a reference to India's quest for membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). "The Russian side reiterated its readiness to assist and promote a discussion and positive decision on India's full membership in the NSG, and welcomed India's intention to seek full membership," it said. While recognising the inherent right of states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, India and Russia stressed the need for all states to comply with their respective obligations on non-proliferation. They also expressed concern over the situation emerging out of Iran's nuclear programme, and warned that unilateral sanctions against the country could be counter-productive. PTI