New Delhi/Beijing: China extended conditional support for India’s Nuclear Suppliers Group membership bid but said “prudence and caution” need to be exercised on the issue.

Experts feel China could now adopt a more intransigent attitude on the resolution of its border dispute with India following US President Barack Obama’s visit as Beijing is extremely sensitive to the American role in its neighbourhood.

It may also strengthen ties with Pakistan further and ignore India’s concerns altogether about Chinese involvement in projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

India and the US had on Sunday released a “joint strategic vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region” which had stated, “We affirm the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, especially in the South China Sea.”

Beijing said that it is ready to make concerted efforts with India to lift their bilateral strategic partnership to a higher level as they pursue a great dream of national rejuvenation. Greeting India on Republic Day, President Xi Jinping, said China is delighted with India’s achievements.