China Withdraws Proposal Against AUKUS, After Lack Of Support

After India’s objection, China withdrew a draft resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against the AUKUS grouping set to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

China attempted to pass the resolution at the IAEA general meeting, which took place in Vienna from 26 to 30 September.

AUKUS, a security alliance declared in September of last year between Australia, the UK and the US, will help Australia acquire the technology to construct nuclear-powered submarines.

According to the reports, China said this initiative (AUKUS) violated its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) on the last day of the meeting. China also criticised the role of the IAEA in this regard. 

“India viewed the initiative objectively and acknowledged the validity of the IAEA's technical assessment. In this regard, the Indian Mission to the IAEA in Vienna collaborated extensively with numerous IAEA member states,” according to officials. 

“With India’s assistance, many smaller nations also stand against the Chinese plan. China withdrew its proposed resolution on 30 September after realising it would not receive a majority vote,” officials added.