Good News! Cyprus reaffirms support for India’s membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group

Nicosia, September 4: Cyprus on Monday reaffirmed its support to India’s membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). 

Notably, Cyprus reaffirmed its support to India for its membership of the Nuclear Supplier's Group (NSG) and its claim for being inducted as a permanent member of the United Nation's Security Council. While President Ram Nath Kovind, who was on a three-day visit to Cyprus thanked Cyprus President for supporting India in its bid for permanent membership of UN Security Council and the NSG.

Both the counties also signed two MoUs in the fields of sharing of economic intelligence and environment after President Ram Nath Kovind held discussions with the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia.

India and Cyprus have also agreed to revise the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) signed between India and Cyprus in 2016 to further enhance investment cross flows. Mr. Kovind invited Cyprus to become part of the International Solar Alliance to promote clean energy and sustainable development.

On the third and final day of a visit to Cyprus, President Kovind addressed students at the University of Cyprus this afternoon. He also unveiled a bust of Gurudev Ravindra Nath Tagore before departing for Bulgaria.

The three-day visit of President Ram Nath Kovind to Cyprus was marked by a visible sense of warmth and shared perspective on important issues. While India reiterated its support for the territorial integrity of Cyprus, Nicosia also reciprocated with its support to India on issues of entry into NSG and permanent membership of UN Security Council.

President Kovind also stressed the common civilizational bonds to open a new phase of strong ties in trade, investment and other sectors of the economy. Importantly, the Republic of Cyprus may be a small island in the Mediterranean but the possibilities of cooperation between India and Cyprus are vast and varied.

BACKGROUND:

India, for the past three year trying hard to get the membership of NSG but due to China’s strong oppose and two-step non-discriminatory approach not letting India gain the membership. Many of the other countries including US, Japan, Switzerland, South Africa etc have already given access to India to get the membership in NSG.

China stands firm on its decision as it says that non-NPT countries cannot get the membership in NSG. Notably, India has not signed Non-Proliferation Treaty. On the other side, after seeing India heading towards NSG membership Pakistan has also demanded NSG membership without signing NPT.

Importantly, Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.

Whereas, NPT is commonly known as the Non-Proliferation Treaty is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.