Howard: Uranium exports to India possible

[Reuters, AAP, 29 March] Australian Prime Minister John Howard said that while Australia has not changed its policy on uranium sales to India, he would not rule out a change in future if there were adequate safeguards on the use of the uranium. Australia has so far refused to sell uranium to India, which has not signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). Speaking prior to a meeting with Shyam Saran, India's top nuclear envoy, Howard said, "There is no pressing urgency in relation to this issue, but we see India as a very responsible country." He said that Australia is likely to back India's nuclear cooperation agreement with the USA when the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) meets in South Africa in April. The NSG's backing is crucial to the cooperation deal reached in 2006 between India and the USA. However, Howard added, "We would never agree to supply uranium to a country unless we were completely satisfied that appropriate and enforceable and effective safeguards existed."

Further information

WNA's Australian Uranium and Who Buys It information paper
WNA's Safeguards to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation information paper