The struggle for political and strategic dominance in Asia between China and India is now out in the open. On June 24, China blocked India's bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a 48-member organization that controls the export of nuclear weapons-related technology and materials, on the grounds that New Delhi is not a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty.
The Chinese rejection of India's application to the NSG during a plenary session of the organization in Seoul is particularly painful for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who made a valiant effort to convince Chinese President Xi Jinping to "make a fair and objective assessment of India's application on merit." His effort failed despite clear evidence that the two leaders have developed a personal rapport.
