Dr Subhash Chandra, the founder of Zee Media and the chairman of the Essel Group, stated on Friday that if technology is handled properly, it can help enable Mahatma Gandhi's idea&nbsp;of Swaraj to become a reality.

While addressing a seminar at IIT Hyderabad he said that today's constitution is not as it was envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi.&nbsp;"The meaning of Gandhiji's Swaraj was to give control of governance at the village level."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-importance-of-lumbini-the-nepalese-town-indian-pm-modi-visiting-478624" hreflang="en">The importance of Lumbini, the Nepalese town Indian PM Modi visiting</a>

Talking about technology Dr Chandra said that it should be used for the good of society.&nbsp;

"I want to say one thing that just as good and evil go together, technology can also be used for good and bad works in the same way. Therefore, while technology will be used for good, it can also be used for evil purposes."

The Rajya Sabha MP said that in his opinion technology holds the potential for radical changes.&nbsp;Referring to the 1990s, when Zee TV was launched, Dr Chandra said that if Zee TV&nbsp;wasn't started, the 500+ channels that we have today would not exist.

"If Zee TV had not started, today there are about 563 TV channels in India, in which about 12 million people work, all this would not have happened."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-isro-completes-crucial-test-of-solid-rocket-booster-for-human-spaceflight-478620" hreflang="en">Watch: ISRO completes crucial test of Solid Rocket Booster for Human Spaceflight</a>

Discussing the evolving aspects of new technology and OTT (Over The Top) media, he said that even with the changing environment TV channels continue to be strengthened, with its content being seen more than ever.

Calling OTT a new medium of distribution, he said that even as technology alters form the older mediums like TV "will continue to run parallelly."

Dr Subhash Chandra, the founder of Zee Media and the chairman of the Essel Group, stated on Friday that if technology is handled properly, it can help enable Mahatma Gandhi's idea of Swaraj to become a reality.

Dr Subhash Chandra, the founder of Zee Media and the chairman of the Essel Group, stated on Friday that if technology is handled properly, it can help enable Mahatma Gandhi's idea of Swaraj to become a reality. While addressing a seminar at IIT Hyderabad he said that today's constitution is not as it was envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi. "The meaning of Gandhiji's Swaraj was to give control of governance at the village level." Also read | The importance of Lumbini, the Nepalese town Indian PM Modi visiting Talking about technology Dr Chandra said that it should be used for the good of society. "I want to say one thing that just as good and evil go together, technology can also be used for good and bad works in the same way. Therefore, while technology will be used for good, it can also be used for evil purposes." The Rajya Sabha MP said that in his opinion technology holds the potential for radical changes. Referring to the 1990s, when Zee TV was launched, Dr Chandra said that if Zee TV wasn't started, the 500+ channels that we have today would not exist. "If Zee TV had not started, today there are about 563 TV channels in India, in which about 12 million people work, all this would not have happened." Also read | Watch: ISRO completes crucial test of Solid Rocket Booster for Human Spaceflight Discussing the evolving aspects of new technology and OTT (Over The Top) media, he said that even with the changing environment TV channels continue to be strengthened, with its content being seen more than ever. Calling OTT a new medium of distribution, he said that even as technology alters form the older mediums like TV "will continue to run parallelly."

Technology can enable Mahatma Gandhi's idea of Swaraj to become a reality: Dr Subhash Chandra

How Sushma Swaraj perfected the art of public diplomacy

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-to-be-cremated-with-full-state-honours-on-wednesday-afternoon-bjp-241240">Sushma Swaraj to be cremated with full state honours on Wednesday afternoon: BJP</a>

Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj who passed away on Tuesday night will be cremated with full state honours, BJP working president Jagat Prakash Nadda said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swarajs-demise-is-a-personal-loss-pm-modi-241253">Sushma Swaraj's demise is a personal loss: PM Modi</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the sudden demise of Bharatiya Janata Party's most loved and admired leader, former External Affairs Minister&nbsp;Sushma Swaraj.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-was-waiting-to-see-this-day-in-my-lifetime-said-sushma-swaraj-in-final-tweet-241263">I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime, said Sushma Swaraj in final tweet</a>

Just hours before her death,&nbsp;former external affairs minister&nbsp;Sushma Swaraj&nbsp;in her final tweet&nbsp;congratulated and thanked PM Modi for the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/sushma-swaraj-passes-away-anurag-kashyap-anushka-sharma-and-other-bollywood-celebrities-pay-rich-tributes-241245">Sushma Swaraj passes away; Anurag Kashyap, Anushka Sharma and other Bollywood celebrities pay rich tributes</a>

Former External Affairs Minister and one of the most loved Parliamentarians in the country Sushma Swaraj breathed her last on Tuesday night. Swaraj suffered a cardiac arrest. She was administered CPR but did not respond, according to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/sushma-swarajs-political-career-linked-to-rise-rise-of-bjp-241254">Sushma Swaraj's political career linked to rise &amp; rise of BJP</a>

Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night in Delhi's AIIMS. Here is taking a look at the life and times of the Iron Lady

Sushma Swaraj to be cremated with full state honours on Wednesday afternoon: BJP Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj who passed away on Tuesday night will be cremated with full state honours, BJP working president Jagat Prakash Nadda said.

Sushma Swaraj to be cremated with full state honours on Wednesday afternoon: BJP Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj who passed away on Tuesday night will be cremated with full state honours, BJP working president Jagat Prakash Nadda said. Sushma Swaraj's demise is a personal loss: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the sudden demise of Bharatiya Janata Party's most loved and admired leader, former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime, said Sushma Swaraj in final tweet Just hours before her death, former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj in her final tweet congratulated and thanked PM Modi for the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Sushma Swaraj passes away; Anurag Kashyap, Anushka Sharma and other Bollywood celebrities pay rich tributes Former External Affairs Minister and one of the most loved Parliamentarians in the country Sushma Swaraj breathed her last on Tuesday night. Swaraj suffered a cardiac arrest. She was administered CPR but did not respond, according to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Sushma Swaraj's political career linked to rise & rise of BJP Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night in Delhi's AIIMS. Here is taking a look at the life and times of the Iron Lady

News brief: Big stories of the day

Just hours before her death, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-to-be-cremated-with-full-state-honours-on-wednesday-afternoon-bjp-241240">former external affairs minister&nbsp;Sushma Swaraj</a> in her final tweet&nbsp;congratulated and thanked PM Modi for the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

The veteran BJP leader, who passed at AIIMS in Delhi on Tuesday night following a heart attack had tweeted in both in English and Hindi saying she had been long waiting to "see this day".

"Pradhan Mantri ji -&nbsp;aapka hardik abhinandan, main aapne jeevan mein is din ko dekhne ki prateeksha kar rahi thi"&nbsp;

"Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime," she posted on Tuesday evening

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प्रधान मंत्री जी - आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1158737840752037889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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A day before, on August 5, Swaraj had congratulated Amit Shah for the passage of the&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019 which was&nbsp;passed in&nbsp;the Upper House of the Parliament on Monday.&nbsp;

Her tweet said, "I&nbsp;congratulate the Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji for his outstanding performance in Rajya Sabha."

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गृह मंत्री श्री अमित शाह जी को उत्कृष्ट भाषण के लिए बहुत बहुत बधाई. 
 
I congratulate the Home Minister Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmitShah</a> ji for his outstanding performance in Rajya Sabha.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1158371889703579648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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राज्य सभा के उन सभी सांसदों का बहुत बहुत अभिनन्दन जिन्होनें आज धारा 370 को समाप्त करने वाले संकल्प को पारित करवा कर डॉक्टर श्यामा प्रसाद मुखर्जी के बलिदान को सच्ची श्रद्धांजलि दी और उनके एक भारत के सपने को साकार किया.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1158370261638320129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The former external affairs minister&nbsp;had said that the abrogation of the special provision is a true tribute to BJP ideologue Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, who died fighting for "one nation, one flag".

"Many greetings to all the MPs of Rajya Sabha who helped pass the resolution ending Article 370 today and paid a true tribute to the sacrifice of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and fulfilled his dream of a united India," Swaraj had tweeted.

Sushma Swaraj was rushed to All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) late on Tuesday evening after her health deteriorated.&nbsp;A team of doctors tried to revive her for 70 to 80 minutes but failed in their attempt. Swaraj was declared dead at 10:50 pm on Tuesday.

Just hours before her death, former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj in her final tweet congratulated and thanked PM Modi for the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Just hours before her death, former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj in her final tweet congratulated and thanked PM Modi for the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The veteran BJP leader, who passed at AIIMS in Delhi on Tuesday night following a heart attack had tweeted in both in English and Hindi saying she had been long waiting to "see this day". "Pradhan Mantri ji - aapka hardik abhinandan, main aapne jeevan mein is din ko dekhne ki prateeksha kar rahi thi" "Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime," she posted on Tuesday evening प्रधान मंत्री जी - आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. @narendramodi ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 6, 2019 × A day before, on August 5, Swaraj had congratulated Amit Shah for the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019 which was passed in the Upper House of the Parliament on Monday. Her tweet said, "I congratulate the Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji for his outstanding performance in Rajya Sabha." गृह मंत्री श्री अमित शाह जी को उत्कृष्ट भाषण के लिए बहुत बहुत बधाई. I congratulate the Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji for his outstanding performance in Rajya Sabha. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 5, 2019 × राज्य सभा के उन सभी सांसदों का बहुत बहुत अभिनन्दन जिन्होनें आज धारा 370 को समाप्त करने वाले संकल्प को पारित करवा कर डॉक्टर श्यामा प्रसाद मुखर्जी के बलिदान को सच्ची श्रद्धांजलि दी और उनके एक भारत के सपने को साकार किया. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 5, 2019 × The former external affairs minister had said that the abrogation of the special provision is a true tribute to BJP ideologue Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, who died fighting for "one nation, one flag". "Many greetings to all the MPs of Rajya Sabha who helped pass the resolution ending Article 370 today and paid a true tribute to the sacrifice of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and fulfilled his dream of a united India," Swaraj had tweeted. Sushma Swaraj was rushed to All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) late on Tuesday evening after her health deteriorated. A team of doctors tried to revive her for 70 to 80 minutes but failed in their attempt. Swaraj was declared dead at 10:50 pm on Tuesday.

I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime, said Sushma Swaraj in final tweet

Sushma Swaraj's political career linked to rise & rise of BJP

China has agreed to resume sharing of hydrological data of the Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said here today, months after Beijing stopped the practice following the stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Dokalam.

The sharing of hydrological data is crucial to predict floods in India's northeast region, prone to natural calamities.

Swaraj, who arrived here yesterday on a four-day visit to take part in the foreign ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and discussed a host of bilateral issues and ways to step-up the pace of high-level interactions to improve the relationship.

"We also discussed the importance of strengthening people to people contacts in bringing our two countries closer to each other.

"In this context, I conveyed our appreciation to the Chinese side for their confirmation on resumption of data sharing on Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers in 2018 as this issue has direct relevance for people living in those areas," Swaraj said at a joint media event with Wang after their talks.

Last month, a team of officials of India's Ministry of Water Resources held talks with their Chinese counterparts on the cooperation of trans-border rivers at the Chinese city of Hangzhou, the first after Beijing last year stopped providing the data.

Under the existing bilateral Memorandums of Understanding, China provides to India hydrological information of the Brahmaputra river (Yarlong Zangbo) and the Sutlej river (Langqen Zangbo) during the flood seasons.

Under the arrangement, China provides flood season data of the Brahmaputra river between May 15 and October 15 every year.

Last year, China stopped sharing data soon after the 73-day long stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Dokalam over Chinese military's plans to build a road close to India's Chicken Neck corridor connecting North-Eastern states.

The sharing of hydrological data is crucial to predict floods in India's northeast region, prone to natural calamities

China has agreed to resume sharing of hydrological data of the Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said here today, months after Beijing stopped the practice following the stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Dokalam. The sharing of hydrological data is crucial to predict floods in India's northeast region, prone to natural calamities. Swaraj, who arrived here yesterday on a four-day visit to take part in the foreign ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and discussed a host of bilateral issues and ways to step-up the pace of high-level interactions to improve the relationship. "We also discussed the importance of strengthening people to people contacts in bringing our two countries closer to each other. "In this context, I conveyed our appreciation to the Chinese side for their confirmation on resumption of data sharing on Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers in 2018 as this issue has direct relevance for people living in those areas," Swaraj said at a joint media event with Wang after their talks. Last month, a team of officials of India's Ministry of Water Resources held talks with their Chinese counterparts on the cooperation of trans-border rivers at the Chinese city of Hangzhou, the first after Beijing last year stopped providing the data. Under the existing bilateral Memorandums of Understanding, China provides to India hydrological information of the Brahmaputra river (Yarlong Zangbo) and the Sutlej river (Langqen Zangbo) during the flood seasons. Under the arrangement, China provides flood season data of the Brahmaputra river between May 15 and October 15 every year. Last year, China stopped sharing data soon after the 73-day long stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Dokalam over Chinese military's plans to build a road close to India's Chicken Neck corridor connecting North-Eastern states.

China agrees to share data on Brahmaputra, Sutlej rivers: Swaraj

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj helped an Indian woman in bringing back the mortal remains of her son, with whom she was travelling from Australia to India after he died suddenly at the Kuala Lumpur international airport.

The minister&#39;s response yesterday came after a netizen sought her help in the matter through a tweet.

&quot;@SushmaSwaraj @MEAIndia - urgent and kind request - one of my close friends &amp; his mom travelled from Australia to India. In Kuala Lumpur International Airport, my friend collapsed suddenly and passed away. My friend&#39;s mom is alone in KLIA and don&#39;t know much to get help,&quot; he had tweeted.

Following his tweet, Swaraj assured help from the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and said the body would be flown to India at the government&#39;s expense.

Later, she tweeted, &quot;Indian High Commission official is escorting the mother and mortal remains of the deceased son from Malaysia to Chennai. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family&quot;.

Swaraj assured help from the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and said the body would be flown to India at the government's expense

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj helped an Indian woman in bringing back the mortal remains of her son, with whom she was travelling from Australia to India after he died suddenly at the Kuala Lumpur international airport. The minister's response yesterday came after a netizen sought her help in the matter through a tweet. "@SushmaSwaraj @MEAIndia - urgent and kind request - one of my close friends & his mom travelled from Australia to India. In Kuala Lumpur International Airport, my friend collapsed suddenly and passed away. My friend's mom is alone in KLIA and don't know much to get help," he had tweeted. Following his tweet, Swaraj assured help from the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and said the body would be flown to India at the government's expense. Later, she tweeted, "Indian High Commission official is escorting the mother and mortal remains of the deceased son from Malaysia to Chennai. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family".

Swaraj comes to aid of Indian woman stranded with son's body

China&nbsp;said&nbsp;on Monday that India&#39;s inclusion in the&nbsp;NSG was not&nbsp;even on the agenda of the group&#39;s meeting in Seoul this week and there were differences among the existing members over the inclusion of new countries.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
This statement comes just a day after&nbsp;India&#39;s external&nbsp;affairs&nbsp;minister&nbsp;Sushma&nbsp;Swaraj asserted that Beijing was not opposing India&#39;s entry&nbsp;to the Nuclear&nbsp;Suppliers&#39; Group&nbsp;(NSG).&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We have stressed that the&nbsp;NSG&nbsp;is still divided about non-NPT countries&#39; entry into the NSG,&nbsp;and under the current circumstances we hope that NSG will make thorough discussions to make a decision based on consultation,&quot; Chinese&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;ministry spokesperson Hua&nbsp;Chunying&nbsp;told a media briefing.&nbsp; 
 
Answering questions about&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;secretary S&nbsp;Jaishankar&#39;s&nbsp;visit here on June 16-17 and Swaraj&#39;s remarks, Hua said India&#39;s admission into NSG is not on the agenda of the Seoul meeting of the 48-member elite club to be held on June 24.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;As we understand&nbsp;the annual conference in Seoul this year also has no such topic. We understand that non-NPT countries are concerned about their entry into the NSG. But since NSG is still divided about the issue, so it is still not mature to talk about the entry issue in the annual conference in Seoul,&quot; she said.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I want point out that the NSG agenda has never covered any issue concerning the non-NPT countries joining the NSG,&quot; Hua asserted.&nbsp; 
 
China,&nbsp;along with some other nations,&nbsp;has effectively blocked India&#39;s entry to NSG that trades in advanced nuclear material and technology.&nbsp; 
 
Swaraj&nbsp;had&nbsp;made the comments on China at a news conference held to highlight her government&#39;s achievement in their two-years of rule&nbsp;on Sunday.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;As far as China is concerned, they are not opposed to India&#39;s membership into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) but is talking about criteria procedure,&quot; she said.&nbsp; 
 
India had spoken to 23 nations on India&#39;s membership to NSG, out of which 21 had extended support while the remaining had raised questions.&nbsp; 
 
India already enjoys most of the benefits of membership under a 2008 exemption to NSG rules granted to support its nuclear cooperation deal with Washington, even though India has developed atomic weapons and never signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the main global arms control pact.&nbsp; 
 
Swaraj was optimistic that China would agree on India&#39;s entry into NSG.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;When foreign secretary went to China, he said during the talks that India&#39;s credentials should be discussed instead of criteria. I believe that there is still time and we are hopeful that we will be able to convince China as well,&quot; Swaraj said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Opponents argue that granting India membership would further undermine efforts to prevent proliferation. It would also infuriate India&#39;s rival Pakistan, an ally of China, which has responded to India&#39;s membership bid with one of its own.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Swaraj also took questions on Pakistan&#39;s bid to join the NSG and said that India was not against the entry of any country into the non-proliferation body.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;As far as Pakistan&#39;s entry is concerned, we are not yet members of the NSG, so we cannot be a part in the decision-making process regarding their membership. We are not opposed to the entry of any nation into the NSG. We would want any application to be considered on its own merits,&quot; she concluded.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Membership of the 48-nation club would bring India into the nuclear fold 41 years after it tested its first nuclear bomb, and give the nation of 1.25 billion a vested interest in curbing the world&#39;s most dangerous regional arms race.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
A seat at the NSG would strengthen India&#39;s geopolitical clout and help it&nbsp;capitalise&nbsp;on nuclear trade and technology transfer opportunities.&nbsp; 
 
(Agencies)&nbsp;

The statement comes after Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj's comment that China was not blocking India's entry into NSG

China said on Monday that India's inclusion in the NSG was not even on the agenda of the group's meeting in Seoul this week and there were differences among the existing members over the inclusion of new countries. This statement comes just a day after India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj asserted that Beijing was not opposing India's entry to the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG). "We have stressed that the NSG is still divided about non-NPT countries' entry into the NSG, and under the current circumstances we hope that NSG will make thorough discussions to make a decision based on consultation," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing. Answering questions about foreign secretary S Jaishankar's visit here on June 16-17 and Swaraj's remarks, Hua said India's admission into NSG is not on the agenda of the Seoul meeting of the 48-member elite club to be held on June 24. "As we understand the annual conference in Seoul this year also has no such topic. We understand that non-NPT countries are concerned about their entry into the NSG. But since NSG is still divided about the issue, so it is still not mature to talk about the entry issue in the annual conference in Seoul," she said. "I want point out that the NSG agenda has never covered any issue concerning the non-NPT countries joining the NSG," Hua asserted. China, along with some other nations, has effectively blocked India's entry to NSG that trades in advanced nuclear material and technology. Swaraj had made the comments on China at a news conference held to highlight her government's achievement in their two-years of rule on Sunday. "As far as China is concerned, they are not opposed to India's membership into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) but is talking about criteria procedure," she said. India had spoken to 23 nations on India's membership to NSG, out of which 21 had extended support while the remaining had raised questions. India already enjoys most of the benefits of membership under a 2008 exemption to NSG rules granted to support its nuclear cooperation deal with Washington, even though India has developed atomic weapons and never signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the main global arms control pact. Swaraj was optimistic that China would agree on India's entry into NSG. "When foreign secretary went to China, he said during the talks that India's credentials should be discussed instead of criteria. I believe that there is still time and we are hopeful that we will be able to convince China as well," Swaraj said. Opponents argue that granting India membership would further undermine efforts to prevent proliferation. It would also infuriate India's rival Pakistan, an ally of China, which has responded to India's membership bid with one of its own. Swaraj also took questions on Pakistan's bid to join the NSG and said that India was not against the entry of any country into the non-proliferation body. "As far as Pakistan's entry is concerned, we are not yet members of the NSG, so we cannot be a part in the decision-making process regarding their membership. We are not opposed to the entry of any nation into the NSG. We would want any application to be considered on its own merits," she concluded. Membership of the 48-nation club would bring India into the nuclear fold 41 years after it tested its first nuclear bomb, and give the nation of 1.25 billion a vested interest in curbing the world's most dangerous regional arms race. A seat at the NSG would strengthen India's geopolitical clout and help it capitalise on nuclear trade and technology transfer opportunities. (Agencies)

India?s entry into Nuclear Suppliers' Group not on Seoul meet agenda: China

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