Australia wants trade with India

Australianprime minister John Howard has announced his government's decision toallow the export of uranium to India. He has informed his Indiancounterpart Manmohan Singh, who welcomed the move. Australian nucleartrade with India would be subject to a number of negotiations: Ansafeguards agreement between India and the International Atomic EnergyAgency (IAEA); India signing an Additional Protocol equivalent; Aconcensus by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the conclusion of theUS-India nuclear trade deal; And satisfactory progress by India inplacing its declared civil nuclear sites under IAEA safeguards. Nucleartrade between the countries would primarily concern uranium, of whichIndia would require 12,000 tonnes per year up to around 2030, and ofwhich Australia produces 19% of the world's supply.