NSG-LD CHINA

Beijing, Sept 8 (PTI) Under criticism from India on the
nuclear waiver, China Monday appeared to fend off all attack
saying its role in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (N.S.G.) was
"constructive".

"China has been taking part in relevant meetings within
the N.S.G. in a responsible and constructive manner," the
Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday that
coincides with the visit of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to
New Delhi for discussions with Prime Minister and External
Affairs Minister.

The statement, which welcomed the N.S.G. granting a
waiver to India to engage in nuclear commerce, said on Sept 6
the N.S.G. discussed nuclear cooperation with India and issued
a statement on the basis of negotiated consensus, deciding to
lift nuclear trade ban on the country.

China, which had earlier given to India signals of
positive cooperation in the N.S.G. came out openly with
reservations at the Vienna N.S.G. meet last week joining some
'hold out' countries virtually threatening to stall the move
for N.S.G. waiver to New Delhi.

The Chinese ambassador in Delhi was reportedly summoned
to the foreign office in the wee hours of Saturday to convey
the Indian government's unhappiness over Beijing's role.

In Monday's statement, China welcomed the N.S.G.
granting a waiver but hoped this cooperation should be
"conducive" to safeguarding the global nuclear
non-proliferation efforts.

"China hopes that the decision will contribute to
peaceful use of nuclear energy and international cooperation
on nuclear non-proliferation," it said.

At the N.S.G. meeting in Vienna, the Chinese
representative had said "China believes that all countries are
entitled to make peaceful use of nuclear energy, and conduct
international cooperation in this regard," the statement said.

"Meanwhile, relevant cooperation should be conducive to
safeguarding the integrity and efficacy of the international
nuclear non-proliferation regime," the statement said.

Beijing's statement is being seen as a move to assuage
New Delhi which has conveyed its unhappiness over the Chinese
position at the NSG meet.

The tough negotiations in Vienna went down to the wire
after China, which had sounded positive in the run-up to the
NSG meeting, took a different line creating problems for a
consensus on the waiver.PTI AKJ