India’s Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security) Amandeep Singh Gill met Director General of Department of Arms Control Wang Qun in Beijing on Monday to discuss New Delhi’s bid for the membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Gill reportedly told Qun that the implementation of the principles of nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, a prerequisite for membership to the NSG, was “second to none".

Officials told PTI that the talks were “substantive and constructive”, but refused to divulge more details. Monday’s meeting was a precursor to the upcoming talks between the national security advisers of the two countries in Hyderabad later this week.

In June, China was one of the main countries to have blocked India’s bid to become a member of the group of 48 nations, which monitors the export of materials or technology that can be used to create nuclear weapons. China contends that India is not eligible as it was not a signatory to the NPT. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been attempting to gather support for India's bid to join the body, but he has faced resistance from a number of countries, particularly from China and Pakistan. However, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong had said before the Brics summit that the country is “willing to jointly explore” the possibility of India joining the NSG.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated recently because of several factors, including China’s displeasure over the Dalai Lama possibly visiting Arunachal Pradesh, and a boycott of Chinese goods sold in Indian markets. China has also blocked India’s bid to ban Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar at the United Nations, and is continuing plans for its Economic Corridor with Pakistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Ties have also been affected by the worsening of India’s relation with Pakistan.