Baku-APA. Turkish officials have denied a report that Ankara has objected to India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), saying the report was baseless, APA reports quoting Todays Zaman.
The report, published by The Times of India on Thursday, claimed that India's membership bid in the group has come up against a Turkish obstacle.
A senior Turkish official, speaking to Today's Zaman on condition of anonymity, said similar news reports in the past were circulated by Indian media, adding that Turkey was not against India's membership.
The official also maintained that the statements by Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun SinirlioÄŸlu in the report reflected the truth.
According to the report, SinirlioÄŸlu, who paid a visit to India recently, said Turkey did not object to India's NSG membership but admitted that Ankara had raised a "non-proliferation" concern regarding India's membership.
“It is very clear from SinirlioÄŸlu's statements that Turkey doesn't have any objection to India's membership but it is true that Ankara has concerns over the non-proliferation issue. The issues which SinirlioÄŸlu has stated in the report are clear; however, it seems like the report has been written from the perspective of India,” said the official, adding that the words used by SinirlioÄŸlu had been distorted.
"We see Turkey's relationship with India as a strategic one. Our relations with Pakistan should not impact India. We want to enhance ties with India on its own merit,” said SinirlioÄŸlu, according to the report.
The same official also added that what discomforts India is that Turkey is encouraging Pakistan to enhance its engagement with the group, adding that India has also been involved with the group for years.
“Encouraging Pakistan doesn't mean that Turkey is against India's membership. Turkey is not discriminating against India in favor of Pakistan. We are raising our concerns over the non-proliferation issue not only to India but also to Pakistan. This is our principle in the issue,” said the official.
The report also stated that Indian National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon was expected to be in Turkey earlier this month, but inexplicably canceled his visit at the last minute, citing scheduling problems.
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