SINGAPORE: Australian Prime Minister John Howard is understood to have struck a "positive" note in responding to India's ongoing efforts to win the support of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Endorsement by the NSG is essential for gaining access to not only advanced know-how and equipment but also critical materials needed for the peaceful use of atomic energy. And Australia, a member of the NSG, commands nearly 40 per cent of the world's known reserves of uranium.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Special Envoy Shyam Saran, who briefed Mr. Howard on the continuing engagement between India and the United States, said over telephone from Sydney that Australia's "positive" stance, known for some time, was, "in a sense, confirmed" now. Mr. Howard earlier described the original U.S.-India initiative as a "good" step towards civil nuclear cooperation.

Before receiving Mr. Saran, Mr. Howard had acknowledged publicly that "whilst India is not a signatory to the [Nuclear Non-Proliferation] Treaty, her behaviour since exploding a device in 1974 has been impeccable."

Mr. Saran told The Hindu that Mr. Howard "mentioned" that Australia's uranium supplies to India "will have to await the conclusion of the process" now under way with regard to the NSG guidelines for New Delhi. Besides the NSG members, the International Atomic Energy Agency was also relevant to India's current pursuit.

Before leaving Sydney for New Zealand on Saturday, Mr. Saran met several Australian interlocutors, including Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, Foreign Secretary Michael L'Estrange, and Opposition leader Robert McClelland. India's High Commissioner to Australia P. P. Shukla participated in these talks.

Key aspect

Mr. Saran said a key aspect of his mission was to emphasise that India should be looked upon by the NSG as a "partner" for non-proliferation. The NSG would "not also undermine the international non-proliferation regime" by giving New Delhi access to the entire spectrum of civil nuclear energy.

In any case, India stood ready to respond to the issues that might be raised by the NSG members.

"Too early"

Responding to a question, he said: "it might be too early" for the NSG to focus on the Indian issues at its next meeting, scheduled for April 16.

On the prospects of a U.S.-India bilateral accord, Mr. Saran said, "There are certain outstanding issues we need to reflect on. It is a work in progress." Asked to identify the outstanding issues, he said the proposed agreement should be seen as "a package."

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