New Delhi, September 5
India and Australia on Friday inked the long-awaited civil nuclear agreement that will allow Australia to export uranium to India. Both the countries signed three more pacts on sports, water resource management and technical and vocational educational training.

The nuclear pact, under discussion since 2012, was signed after conclusion of delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott, who is the first dignitary to visit India on a bilateral engagement after the new government took over.

A change of policy by Australia, which holds one-third of the world's recoverable uranium, facilitated the pact as Canberra did not supply the fuel to countries not signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Addressing a joint press conference, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot said: “India has an impeccable non-proliferation record and has been a model international citizen. Australia trusts India to do the right thing in this area.”

Prime Minister Modi said: “The signing of the civil nuclear cooperation agreement is a historic milestone in our relationship. It is a reflection of a new level of mutual trust and confidence and will open a new chapter in our bilateral cooperation. It will support India's efforts to fuel its growth with clean energy and minimize the carbon footprint of its growth. Through this agreement, India hopes to generate over 4,500 MW of nuclear power.”

The MoU on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy will promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and recognise India's commitment and use of nuclear energy with a view to achieving sustainable development and strengthening energy security, an official statement said.

Australia can play the role of a long-term reliable supplier of uranium to India, the statement said, adding the agreement provides for supply of uranium, production of radio isotopes, nuclear safety and other areas of cooperation.

The second MoU is on cooperation in sport which is aimed to promote exchange of programmes, experience, skills, techniques and knowledge in the field of sports.

It will facilitate exchanges of sports personnel, coaches and officials as well as of training and technologies. It will develop preparation for competitions and broad cooperation in sports, the statement said.

The third MOU is on cooperation in the field of water resources management and will promote sharing of policy and technical experiences in water resources, particularly river basin management. It will encourage familiarisation of best practices and technologies developed by each side and for exchange of information and training. A Joint Working Group will coordinate the activities.

The two sides also inked an MoU on Cooperation in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which is aimed to promote exchange of information and policy ideas in TVET systems, joint implementation of collaborative projects and facilitating links between governments, industry organisations and TVET bodies.