EXCHANGING VIEWS: Australian Prime Minister John Howard with the Leader of the Opposition, L.K. Advani, in New Delhi on Monday. During Mr. Howard's visit, India and Australia signed six agreements, including one on defence cooperation. _ PHOTO: PTI

NEW DELHI: Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Monday said the just-concluded India visit by U.S. President George Bush was of long-term significance not only to New Delhi and Washington but to the rest of the world as well.

Speaking at a banquet hosted in his honour by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here, Mr. Howard said India-Australia relationship was moving to a "higher plane," reflected in the candour of discussions.

The Australian leader, who has been Prime Minister for 10 years, said the "centre of gravity" of the global middle class was in Asia, not Europe. Pointing to the robust growth of the Indian economy, he said there was a two lakh-strong Indian community in Australia.

In his speech, Dr. Singh too referred to the growing relationship between India and Australia.

He stressed that no quarter could be given to terrorist elements and pointed out that India and Australia were working well on international forums.

Earlier, during a joint interaction with the press, the Prime Minister pointed out that though the country was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, India abided by the NPT discipline.

Apart from its impeccable record of not transferring sensitive technologies to third countries, India declared a moratorium on further nuclear tests, he told an Australian reporter.

Dr. Singh said he "sincerely expected" that Australia as a member of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) would take a positive view of the Indo-U.S deal on civilian nuclear issues. The U.S. would talk to the NSG members, including Australia, on lifting the curbs on India.

Mr. Howard described the Indo-U.S.civilian nuclear understanding as a "significant agreement." It would be "foolish" to ignore the agreement.

"We are anxious to obtain more information [about the agreement]," he said, asserting that officials of the two countries would be in touch to discuss the matter further.

However, Mr. Howard said, the Indo-U.S. accord did not have an "automatic impact" on Australia. On supporting India's case with the NSG, the Australian leader chose not to take a position.

About supplying uranium to India, he said Australia had no intention now to change policy. As of now, Australia exports uranium only to countries which are party to the NPT.

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