Australia wants trade with India

15 August 2007

Australian prime minister John Howard has announced his government's decision to allow the export of uranium to India. He has informed his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, who welcomed the move. Australian nuclear trade with India would be subject to a number of negotiations: An safeguards agreement between India and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); India signing an Additional Protocol equivalent; A concensus by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the conclusion of the US-India nuclear trade deal; And satisfactory progress by India in placing its declared civil nuclear sites under IAEA safeguards. Nuclear trade between the countries would primarily concern uranium, of which India would require 12,000 tonnes per year up to around 2030, and of which Australia produces 19% of the world's supply.

Further information

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