Beijing [China], Jan. 17 : China has once again reiterated its position on non-NPT countries' accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), saying that the NSG membership is not something to be given privately between countries as a farewell gift.

"China has repeatedly stated its position on non-NPT countries' accession to the NSG. There is no need for me to repeat it here. It is worth pointing out that the NSG membership is not something to be given privately between countries as a farewell gift," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.

The remarks came after the outgoing Obama administration had said that China is the only country blocking India from becoming a member of the NSG and described Beijing as an "outlier".

India has long been trying to secure the membership of the 48-member group but China's stance on New Delhi not being a signatory of NPT has been blocking its bid to secure the seat.

India has been pressing China to relent on its opposition, saying that vast majority of the 48-member group back New Delhi's case.

Despite being backed by U.S. and other countries, India had failed to secure the membership at the NSG plenary session in Seoul in June following China's opposition.

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. (ANI)