New Delhi, August 16
Australian Prime Minister John Howard today telephoned his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh and conveyed his country’s decision to sell uranium to India- a double-edged sword which cuts both ways.
On the brighter side, the development is a cause for cheer for the Indian government as it effectively demonstrates a total turnaround in Australian stand on the India-US nuclear deal. Australia, which has the world’s largest uranium reserves, is a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group - the 45-nation apex body which governs international nuclear commerce.
The NSG, whose approval of the Indo-US nuclear deal is mandatory for its operationalisation, is the next hurdle which India and the USA have to cross for reaping the fruits of the deal. It is likely to meet soon to discuss the India-US nuclear deal and an India-specific waiver.
On the darker side of the Australian decision on selling uranium to India is the conditionalities factor. After his telephonic conversation with Manmohan Singh, Australian PM told reporters in Canberra that Australia had decided “in principle” to export uranium to India, “subject to India agreeing to very stringent safeguards and conditions.”
