China promises responsible attitude over Indo-US N-deal

As President Hu Jintao commenced his visit to New Delhi, China on Monday sought "more information and explanations" from India to address concerns of "some countries" on Indo-US civilian nuclear deal but promised to take a "responsible attitude" at the NSG when the issue comes up.

"We hope that the Indian side can attach importance to these opinions and provide more information and explanations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu told PTI here when asked about China's stand on the deal. Jiang's comment is the most explicit comment by China on the Indo-US nuclear agreement, which is viewed with concern in Beijing.

Her remarks, which come close on the heels of Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Yuxi giving guarded support to the deal, is significant as Beijing is being seen as one which could cause problems when India's case comes up in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

"Chinese side has noted that during the deliberations in the NSG regarding US-India nuclear cooperation, some countries expressed concern and doubts," Jiang said without mentioning that Beijing was one among the countries that had concerns on the deal.

"The Chinese side will continue to participate in these relevant discussions with an earnest and responsible attitude," she said when asked about China's stand if the Indian leadership sought Chinese support from Hu for the Indo- US civilian nuclear agreement at the 45-member NSG.

"We believe that any country's cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy should abide by its international obligations, conform to regulations of the international non-proliferation regime and should be beneficial to strengthening international non-proliferation efforts," Jiang said.

The Chinese Ambassador in New Delhi had told PTI, "Every country has the right to develop energy in any form, including nuclear form, to meet its development needs."

Sun as well as other Chinese Foreign Ministry officials have maintained that countries cooperating in the nuclear field should adhere to international non-proliferation regime and their actions should be conducive to maintenance and strengthening of global non-proliferation efforts.

Sun had also said Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon recently apprised him about the Indo-US nuclear issue and told him that India was trying to strengthen the non-proliferation regime.