WASHINGTON: The United States warned against the risk of a nuclear conflict in South Asia, as China on Sunday called for more talks on India’s application seeking membership of an exclusive club of nuclear suppliers.

A senior US official, however, disagreed with the suggestion that India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) would affect strategic stability in South Asia.

But the official did acknowledge the risk of a nuclear conflict in South Asia.

China for more talks on India’s NSG bid

“We are concerned by the increased security challenges that accompany growing stockpiles and the increased risk that a conventional conflict between India and Pakistan could escalate to include nuclear use,” he said.

China strongly opposes the US move to include India in the 48-nation NSG, leading a group of such opponents that include New Zealand, Turkey, South Africa and Austria.

The NSG controls access to sensitive nuclear technology and that’s why those opposing India want New Delhi to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) before joining the group but the US is seeking an exemption for India.

The Chinese argue that if an exemption is given, it should also apply to other countries that have not signed the NPT but want to join the NSG. Both India and Pakistan have not signed the NPT but have applied for the NSG membership.

Examine: Indian nuclear security measures weaker than Pakistan's: report

In a statement issued in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said, “Large differences remain over the issue of non-NPT countries joining the NSG.”

“With regard to what to do on the issue of non-NPT signatories joining (the NSG), China consistently supports having ample discussion on this to seek consensus and agreement and come to a unanimous decision,” Mr Hong said.

“The NPT is the political and legal basis for the entire international non-proliferation system,” he said, adding that China would support the group in further talks to come to a consensus at an early date.

Rare insight

Meanwhile, a senior US official shared with Dawn Washington’s views on these issues, providing a rare insight into the US desire to build a strong relationship with India. The desire translated into reality during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington last week when the two sides concluded a number of major deals.

After a two-hour meeting with Mr Modi at the White House, US President Barack Obama backed India’s bid to join the NSG and urged other NSG members to admit India during the annual plenary session scheduled later this month.

Asked how to reduce the risk of “nuclear use” in a conventional conflict in South Asia, the US official said: “Improvement in relations between India, Pakistan and China would greatly enhance prospects for lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the region.”

But he disagreed with the suggestion that if India were admitted into the NSG without signing the NPT, it would fuel a nuclear arms race in South Asia.

“We do not believe that strategic stability in the region would be markedly different if India enters the Nuclear Suppliers Group,” he said.

Asked what was the United States doing to prevent escalation, the official said: “We continue to urge all states with nuclear weapons to exercise restraint regarding nuclear missiles capabilities.”

“Improved relations between India and Pakistan are vital, both to each respective country and to the region,” he said.

The official pointed out that the US had welcomed the meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz at the Saarc ministerial in Nepal.

“We welcome all such interactions between Saarc countries to improve political and economic ties,” he said.

“We believe India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation and we encourage them to engage in direct dialogue and cooperation aimed at reducing tensions for their mutual benefit and the benefit of the region,” he said.

Militant activities

While encouraging bilateral talks between India and Pakistan, the official underlined US concerns about militant activities in the region.

“We continue to be concerned about terrorist groups that seek to derail this dialogue process,” he said.

Asked if President Obama and Prime Minister Modi had discussed Pakistan in their meeting, the official explained that the US did not view its security relationships in the region in “zero sum terms”. “Our security relationships with Pakistan, India, as well as Afghanistan, are distinct,” he added.

While urging both India and Pakistan to take steps to reduce tensions, the US official said: “Pakistan can do more to ensure that its territory is not used to plan attacks in India.”

Although the official did not directly address Islamabad’s complaint that Afghanistan had allowed the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan TTP to set up camps on its territory for carrying out attacks inside Pakistan, he said: “We have long noted that no country in the region should allow its territory to launch attacks into another.”

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2016