Over the last few years, India has begun a push to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). It formally put forth its application on May 12. The application was strengthened by the fact that India might join the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama in Washington, which will give it access to state-of-the-art nuclear and surveillance technology.

India's acceptance into the NSG has faced opposition primarily from China. In the last week, two members who had questioned India's application, Mexico and Switzerland, have both signified that they will vote in India's favour.

China, on the other hand, has propped up Pakistan in the group and has indicated that until India's neighbour is accepted into the NSG, it will not vote for India. In 2008, however, India did receive China's vote and the NSG had granted India access to civil nuclear technology after the India-US nuclear deal.

The NSG was set up in 1974 as a result of India's nuclear test Pokhran-I (officially a peaceful nuclear device codenamed the Smiling Buddha), the first nuclear test by a country not in the United Nations Security Council. Another key factor standing in the way of India's nomination is that it is not a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

The 48 member nations meet on June 9 and June 10 where India and Pakistan's applications will be reviewed. All decisions to accept a new member have to be unanimous. Even one country holding out can prevent entry.