External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Tuesday welcomed the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s proposal to seek a change in the ruling Australian Labour Party’s (ALP) stand on the supply of uranium to India.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the eleventh ministerial meeting of Indian Ocean Rim Association of Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), Mr. Krishna said, “We understand that Prime Minister Gillard is seeking a change in the Labour Party’s stand in recognition of our energy needs. Energy is one of the key areas of our bilateral cooperation with Australia.”
The Labour Government has insisted that it would supply uranium to India only if it signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Calling for a revision of her party’s stand, Ms. Gillard had, in a signed article published in The Age on Tuesday, said the supply of uranium to India would expand the market for uranium and result in more jobs in Australia. Ms. Gillard’s proposal is likely to be discussed at the ALP’s national conference in Sydney in December.
Mr. Krishna said Ms. Gillard’s call for a review of the Australian stand is based on India’s “impeccable record of nuclear non-proliferation” and the country’s “strategic partnership” with Australia. He said ties with Australia have “grown across the board.”
Keywords: uranium sale, India-Australia ties
Australia's posture in amplifying cooperation with India is very positive. India needs uranium for its energy needs and Australia needs a trusted partner of the size of India. I dont see any reason why India should shirk from signing the nonproliferation pact. India has always saught economic and social developments through peaceful means. If need be, I am sure, giant democracies like the US, Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia will take India's side in case of external interference. So we need not fear. Let us sign the treaty and seek cooperation with Australia and for that matter with other countries like Canada and the US.
The Australian is reporting that President Obama intervened with PM Gillard and got the uranium policy changed during the Honolulu/APEC Summit meeting last weekend. Actually Obama is right now in Australia on a state visit - postponed many times since his election.
This is a major development in the bilateral ties between India and
Australia. India's track record on non-proliferation without being a
signatory to the NPT is indeed commendable and many countries like
France, Russia, Kazakhstan, Namibia,Mongolia, South Korea including the
US has taken cognizance of this fact and has agreed to work together.
Its time Australia reviews its stand.
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