Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 16

Pakistan today upped the ante as it reached out to the foreign ministers of Austria and Turkey over its own membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and also on India’s efforts to get into this elite nuclear club.Apart from China, Austria and Turkey too are not very supportive of India’s NSG bid. Turkey has demanded that the applications of both India and Pakistan be considered simultaneously. It’s a stand that benefits Pakistan and doesn’t help India’s case at all.China, on a parallel, kept up the momentum and said “once New Delhi gets the membership first, the nuclear balance between India and Pakistan will be broken”. This was part of an extensive commentary run in the Global Times today, which is known to reflect the viewpoint of the Chinese leadership.India, meanwhile, seems to be in for a photo finish. While it has managed to convince most NSG members of its credentials, the opposition by China and other smaller nations such as New Zealand, South Africa, Austria and Turkey could make the consensus difficult on June 24 when the NSG plenary meeting is held.India, in its keenness to get into the NSG, has made it clear that it has no agenda as far as Pakistan’s membership is concerned.US okays enhanced military ties with India