NSG: Diplomatic outreach to China Ahead of a key Nuclear Suppliers Group plenary in Seoul on June 24, New Delhi has stepped up its diplomatic outreach to China.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup on Sunday said the foreign secretary S Jaishankar was in China from June 16-17 and held bilateral consultations with his Chinese counterpart on all major issues, including India’s NSG membership.

China is holding out against giving India the membership of the 48-nation bloc controlling access to sensitive nuclear technology.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar made an unannounced visit to Beijing on June 16-17 to enlist support for India’s bid for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group which is being opposed by China.

Meanwhile, Secretary Economic Relations, MEA, Amar Sinha has said Russia has decided to support India’s bid for NSG membership as President Vladimir Putin would raise matter at a meeting in Seoul.