China says ready to help India address its nuclear energy needs

SEOUL - China stands ready to help India address its nuclear energy needs, should that be required, an official of the Chinese Foreign Ministry has said.

Wang Qun, director-general of the Department of Arms Control of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the remarks to reporters here on Thursday on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

China understands India's sentiment on developing nuclear energy to meet climate changes, Wang said, adding that this is also the common challenges confronting the developing countries.

Noting that India has bilateral cooperation with many NSG members in nuclear energy, Wang said that subject to India's needs, China also stands ready to explore cooperation in this field, so as to help India address its nuclear energy needs.

The Chinese official also pointed out that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is not at odds with the Paris Agreement on climate change, and on the contrary, they are mutually reinforcing and supportive.

One of the pillars in the NPT is to ensure the legitimate rights of country in developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, he added.