China has said that India's admission to the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) is not on the agenda of the grouping as it meets this week in Seoul.
The statement is being seen as a rebuff to India's effort to join the NSG, especially a day after Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said India's entry is just a matter of procedure.
China has been leading a group of nations that are holding out against India's membership to the 48-nation nuclear club that trades in advanced nuclear material and technology.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying has been quoted as saying: "The inclusion of non-NPT members has never been a topic on the agenda of NSG meetings. In Seoul this year, there is no such topic."
She also said India expressed the hope of joining the NSG during (foreign Secretary) S Jaishankar's visit and the two sides exchanged ideas about it.
Yesterday, Ms Swaraj had said: "We hope to become a member of the NSG by year-end. China doesn't oppose India's membership, China is speaking about procedure."
The statement is being seen as a rebuff to India's effort to join the NSG, especially a day after Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said India's entry is just a matter of procedure.
China has been leading a group of nations that are holding out against India's membership to the 48-nation nuclear club that trades in advanced nuclear material and technology.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying has been quoted as saying: "The inclusion of non-NPT members has never been a topic on the agenda of NSG meetings. In Seoul this year, there is no such topic."
She also said India expressed the hope of joining the NSG during (foreign Secretary) S Jaishankar's visit and the two sides exchanged ideas about it.
Yesterday, Ms Swaraj had said: "We hope to become a member of the NSG by year-end. China doesn't oppose India's membership, China is speaking about procedure."