Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto drives Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a restaurant in Mexico City on Wednesday. PTI

Vienna, June 9

China is leading opposition to a push by the United States and other major powers for India to join the main club of countries controlling access to sensitive nuclear technology, diplomats said on Thursday as the group discussed India’s membership bid.Other countries opposing Indian membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) include New Zealand, Ireland, Turkey, South Africa and Austria, diplomats said.The 48-nation NSG aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons by restricting the sale of items that can be used to make those arms.India already enjoys most of the benefits of membership under a 2008 exemption to NSG rules granted to support its nuclear cooperation deal with Washington, even though India has developed atomic weapons and never signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the main global arms control pact.Opponents argue that granting it membership would further undermine efforts to prevent proliferation. It would also infuriate Pakistan, which responded to India’s membership bid with one of its own and has the backing of close ally China.“Bringing India on board is a slap on the face of the entire non-proliferation regime,” a diplomatic source from one of a handful of countries resisting India’s push said on condition of anonymity.A decision on the Indian membership is not expected before an NSG plenary meeting in Seoul on June 20, but diplomats said Washington had been pressuring hold-outs, and Thursday’s closed-door meeting was a chance to see how strong the opposition is. US Secretary of State John Kerry wrote to members asking them “not to block consensus on Indian admission to the NSG”.China, however, showed no sign of backing down from its opposition to India joining unless Pakistan becomes a member. That would be unacceptable to many, given Pakistan’s track record — the father of its nuclear weapons programme sold nuclear secrets to countries, including North Korea and Iran.Most of the hold-outs oppose the idea of admitting a non-NPT state such as India and argue that if it is to be admitted, it should be under criteria that apply equally to all states rather than under a “tailor-made” solution for a US ally.  

India still positive

“It’s an ongoing process but most countries appear positive,” said diplomatic sources in New Delhi. India has asserted that being a signatory to the NPT was not essential for joining the NSG, citing the precedent of France. The NSG works under the principle of consensus and even one country’s vote against India will scuttle its bid.  — Reuters/PTIMexico, meanwhile, too backs India’s bidNEW DELHI: In what is likely to strengthen India’s case for an entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Mexico on Thursday said it would support India’s membership into the elite grouping. The statement of support was made by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country.The PM’s five-nation tour, which concluded with Mexico, saw the NSG agenda on top, with Modi pushing for support as India’s application comes up for consideration. Switzerland and the United States have already committed to supporting India. Mexico and Switzerland were initially not a part of the PM’s itinerary but were added specifically for the NSG agenda. TNS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of Congress at Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday. Vice-President Joe Biden and House Speaker Paul Ryan are seated behind him. PTI

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 8

In his address to the US Congress in Washington today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about various aspects of the India-US relationship, including ‘shared values’. The new inject was the PM’s statement, “Today, our relationship has overcome the hesitations of history. Comfort, candour and convergence define our conversations.” This could be interpreted as a signal to the US that India is ready to move from being a non-aligned player to a natural ally of the US. Editorial: A matter of proportionsThe PM’s message on terrorism was loud and clear. Without mentioning Pakistan, he said terrorism was being “incubated in India’s neighbourhood” and pressed for action against groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Taliban and ISIS. “Distinguished members, not just in Afghanistan, but elsewhere in South Asia, and globally, terrorism remains the biggest threat.In the territory stretching from West of India’s border to Africa, it may go by different names, from Laskhar-e-Taiba to Taliban to ISIS. But, it’s philosophy is common: of hate, murder and violence. Although it’s shadow is spreading across the world, it is incubated in India’s neighbourhood.” He commended the members of the US Congress for “sending a clear message to those who preach and practice terrorism for political gains,” and thanked the US for showing solidarity during the Mumbai attack.

The PM started his address by referring to his visit to the Arlington Cemetery two days ago and paid his respects to the brave men and women who laid down their lives for their nations. “Freedom, liberty form strong bonds between our two democracies,” said the PM.  He added that diversity, equal respect for all faiths were some of the values that India shared with the US. “India lives as one, India grows as one, India celebrates as one,” he said. His remarks seemed to convey to the US his government’s response to critiques of intolerance and lack of religious freedom. “For my government, the Constitution is the real holy book,” Modi said and went on to add that “1.25 billion Indians have freedom from fear every moment of their lives.” He recalled former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee had described India and the US as ‘natural allies’ and went on to talk about the 2008 phase.

He skipped any mention of the man responsible for the civil nuclear deal then, former PM Manmohan Singh.His tongue-in-cheek reference to the bipartisan workings of the US Congress and the workings of the Indian Parliament provoked a chuckle. He also spoke of the defence purchases that had moved ‘from almost zero to 10 million dollars in less than a decade.” The PM said that strong ties between India and the US could anchor stability- from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. And in his closing remarks, he played to the gallery by quoting famous American poet Walt Whitman: “Orchestra have sufficiently tuned their instruments, the baton has given the signal.’ And to that, if I might add, there is a new symphony in play. ”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands Switzerland’s President Johann Schneider-Ammann before a meeting in Geneva on Monday. PTI

Geneva, June 6

India on Monday got the backing of Switzerland in its bid to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group ahead of the elite group’s crucial meeting even as the two countries resolved to strengthen cooperation in combating tax evasion and black money.Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann announced his country’s support to India’s membership in the 48-member group after holding comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.Agreeing to expand cooperation in tackling the problem of Indians stashing black money in Swiss banks was one of the key focus areas of the talks between the two leaders besides stepping up ties in areas of trade, investment and vocational training.“We have promised India support in its efforts to become a member of NSG,” Schneider-Ammann said at a joint media interaction.India has been pushing for membership of the bloc for the last few years and had formally moved its application on May 12. The group will take up India’s application in its plenary meetings on June 9 in Vienna and June 24 in Seoul.“I am thankful to the President for Switzerland’s understanding and support for India’s membership of the NSG,” Modi said.The NSG looks after critical issues relating to the nuclear sector and its membership will help India expand its atomic energy sector. Modi also said combating the menace of black money and tax evasion was “shared priority” for both the countries.“We discussed the need for an early and expeditious exchange of information to bring to justice the tax offenders. An early start to negotiations on the agreement on the automatic exchange of information would be important in this respect,” Modi said.On his part, the Swiss President said both the countries are making considerable progress in fighting tax fraud and evasion.

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 31

In the past couple of days, a number of projects have been undertaken by the Golden Key Division to enhance the aesthetic appeal of Clement Town Cantonment.The Golden Key Lake, located in general area of Turner Road, is a major attraction in the area, frequented by civilians and veterans alike. It has been provided a major facelift, including putting up of motivational boards, improvement of and lighting of fountains and provision of animal topiaries, besides a cleanliness drive in and around the lake. A number of solar lights along the walking plaza have been repaired. The park has been improved substantially, including painting and repair of gym equipment and swings.A sculptured monument, comprising of four soldiers signifying the indomitable spirit of the Indian Army, has been recently dedicated to all ranks by the General Officer Commanding, Golden Key Division.The inauguration of the Golden Key Monument in the 51st year of the Division is also a tribute to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the defence of the motherland.

IMA cadets at the alumni meet in Clement Town in Dehradun on Monday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 30

An alumni meet was held at Vivekanand Hall by Army Public School, Clement Town, here today. The event was attended by 56 Gentlemen Cadets from the Indian Military Academy (IMA). They were welcomed by school principal Geetanjali Kachari, vice-principal Dr Tripty Pandey and the student council.The school choir enthralled the audience with their melodious presentation of “My Wish For You”, followed by a dance performance.A Powerpoint presentation took the Gentlemen Cadets down the memory lane and made them nostalgic about their days at the alma mater.Gentlemen Cadet Manoj Singh Birdi and SS Salaria shared their experiences. They inspired the young students to join the Indian Armed Forces as it not only gave job security but also provided a platform to serve the motherland.The head boy of the school thanked the Gentlemen Cadets and wished them success in the coming years.To treasure the memories of the day, a group photograph was taken. The event was followed by tea where the Gentlemen Cadets interacted with the students and were further able to inspire them.

Abdul Qadeer Khan. — AP/PTI file

Islamabad, May 29

The father of Pakistan’s nuclear programme Abdul Qadeer Khan has said the country has the ability to target Indian capital Delhi from Kahuta near Rawalpindi in five minutes.“Pakistan could have become a nuclear power as early as 1984 but the then President General Zia ul Haq opposed the move,” Khan said while addressing a gathering on Saturday to mark the anniversary of first nuclear tests, which were carried out under his supervision in 1998.

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“We were able and we had a plan to launch nuclear test in 1984. But President General Zia ul Haq had opposed the move,” said Khan.He said General Zia, who ruled Pakistan from 1979 to 1988, opposed the nuclear testing as he believed that the world would intervene militarily.Khan was disgraced in 2004 when he was forced to accept responsibility for proliferation and live a life of semi house arrest.He regretted the treatment and said Pakistan would never have achieved the feat of becoming first Muslim nuclear country without his “services”.”We are facing the worst against our services to the country’s nuclear program,” he said referring to the humiliation he suffered. — PTI

Jalandhar, May 24

It has been a proud moment for Sainik School Kapurthala as 11 of its cadets have been selected in the NDA examination, the results of which have been declared by the Services Selection Board.The successful aspirants will join the 136th NDA course commencing in July. The successful candidates include Harman Bajwa, Ankit Alok, Akashdeep Singh, Kashish Suneja, Jasnoor Singh, Gurkamalpreet Singh, Nitish Bains, Tapeesh Gautam and Rishav Chandel of the present batch. Three students of the last year’s batch – Amritpal Singh, Harkirat Singh and Shashikant- too have cleared the exam. While Harman is the son of school teachers Malkinder Singh Bajwa and Harjinder Kaur, Jasnoor’s mother Narinder Kaur is also from the teaching staff here. In addition, two boys from the school-Vivek Tewari and Aman Kumar have also cleared CDS and will be joining the Indian Military Academy Dehradun. The students and their parents have thanked the teachers for making their wards get through the tough entrance. Principal Group Captain Shakti Sharma said that a number of steps had been taken to improve the results by holding lectures on current topics, group discussions, open forum sessions, motivational lectures and improving discipline, conduct and communication skills of the cadets.—TNS