The Hindu : National : Australian Trade Minister clarifies on uranium supply

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 18, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Australian Trade Minister clarifies on uranium supply

Sandeep Dikshit

“We don’t supply uranium to countries that have not signed the NPT”
Australia to focus on free trade agreement with India

NEW DELHI: The visiting Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean has said there was “no basis” for changing Canberra’s policy of supplying uranium to countries that had not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, he indicated that the issue of Australia joining other countries at the Nuclear Supplier’s Group in permitting India to join the global nuclear commerce mainstream was open.

Speaking to newspersons after inaugurating a new chancery at the Australian High Commission on Thursday, Mr. Crean said the main purpose of his visit was to encourage India in the region and urge it to further open its markets for Australian goods and services.

The first Minister in the new Labour government to visit the country, Mr. Crean pointed out that the purpose of the interaction with the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy, Shyam Saran, was not to ask for a change in Australia’s position on supplying uranium. He explained the basis of the arrangement that India and the U.S. had entered into for the civil nuclear agreement.

“It has nothing to do with supply of uranium. Our [Labour Party’s] policy position was known before the elections. There is no basis by which we can change the policy. We don’t supply uranium to countries that have not signed the NPT. It is not an issue that will determine our attitude. We have taken serious note of the representation by Mr. Saran and understand its importance.”

Doha talks

The Minister conceded that bilateral ties were not vibrant earlier because of the Cold War. The present government in Canberra will continue to focus on a free trade agreement with India but it was also keen to give top priority to a positive outcome in the Doha Round of the stalled multilateral trade talks.

“Industrialising countries are economically strong. It is critically important to get better access to their markets. This will sustain the economy in the long-term,” Mr. Crean said. “I am also here to encourage India in the region.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National