M A I N   N E W S

India, Australia move closer to nuke pact
Ashok Tuteja /TNS

New Delhi, October 17
India and Australia today added a new dimension to their ties when they announced their decision to commence negotiations on a bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement, which would pave the way for uranium supplies to India.

The two countries also decided to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism and maritime security through joint naval exercises and signed four MoUs in different fields, including one on cooperation in civil space science, technology and education after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh his Australian counterpart Julia Gillard. The other MoUs were on: cooperation in the field of wool and woollen products; student mobility and welfare and skill development. “As you are aware, under Prime Minister Gillard, the Australian Labour Party has articulated a new policy on uranium sales to India. This is recognition of India’s energy needs as well as of our good record and credentials and I have expressed to PM Gillard India’s appreciation of this development,” Manmohan Singh said at a brief media interaction with the visiting leader after their talks.

Last November, the ruling party in Australia had overturned its long-standing ban on exporting uranium to India, which is not a signatory to the NPT. Australia holds an estimated 40 per cent of the world’s uranium and exports the yellowcake to China, Japan, Taiwan and the US. Gillard has been quoted as saying by the Australian media that she expects discussions on uranium sales to India to last one to two years.

The Indian PM said India and Australia have also decided to launch a ministerial level dialogue on energy security, establish a water technology partnership and start negotiations for an agreement on transfer of sentenced prisoners.

A joint statement issued by the two sides said India has appreciated the continuing efforts of the Australian authorities to ensure the welfare and security of Indian students studying in Australia.

The two PMs noted that trade between their two countries had more than doubled in the past six years to over 20 billion dollars. They were of the view that it must expand for mutual benefit and encouraged balanced growth as a long term, sustainable boost to economic growth in both countries.