Australia clarifies stand on supply of uranium

Responding to the report, “Australia revises: will give uranium to India if deal goes through...

Responding to the report, “Australia revises: will give uranium to India if deal goes through”, which appeared in The Indian Express and The Financial Express on August 19, the Australian High Commission in New Delhi has clarified: “The Australian Government’s position remains very firm that it will not supply uranium to countries that are not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

The High Commission has said that not supplying uranium to non-NPT signatories “is a policy of principle, not specifically directed at India”.

IE and FE reported the story based on the comments by Australia’s senior trade commissioner for South Asia , Peter Linford.

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The Australian Government communiqué, issued through the High Commission, said that it would support the India-US civilian nuclear cooperation agreement at the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) meeting, bearing in mind non-proliferation considerations. Australia is a key member of the 45-member NSG, which is meeting in Vienna on August 21 to consider the deal.

“The Australian Government will approach the discussions in the NSG in the same positive and constructive manner that it approached the IAEA deliberations, bearing in mind non-proliferation considerations and the strategic importance of the issue for both India and the US,” the High Commission said.