The Hindu : Front Page : Canberra’s terms for uranium sale

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 17, 2007
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Canberra’s terms for uranium sale

P.S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Thursday announced a firm decision to “allow the export of uranium to India, subject to strict conditions.”

Mr. Howard said in a media release in Canberra that the decision also “recognises” New Delhi’s “strong non-proliferation record.”

Addressing domestic criticism, Mr. Howard outlined conditions that India will have to navigate.

They are:

(1) Conclusion of a suitable safeguards agreement between India and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), covering all designated civil nuclear facilities; (2) Conclusion by India of an Additional [IAEA] Protocol on strengthened safeguards; (3) Satisfactory progress in implementing India’s commitment to place designated civil nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards in perpetuity; (4) A consensus decision by the Nuclear Suppliers Group to make an exception to its guidelines enabling international civil supply to India; (5) Conclusion of a bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement between India and the United States; and (6) Conclusion of a bilateral Australia-India safeguards agreement.

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