India Signs Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement With Australia

Alliance With The Land Down Under: India Signs Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement With Australia

India has just deepened its relations with Australia through what is a move designed to strengthen ties between the 2 nations and help India to fulfil its nuclear ambitions. The governments of India and Australia have signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement recently.

India's PM Narendra Modi as well as Australia's PM Tony Abbott were also present when the agreement was signed. Following the reversal of its nuclear policy by Australia, both this nation and India held around 5 rounds of negotiations regarding the deal since the year 2012. The earlier Australian policy was based on the refusal of India towards signing the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty).

The Aussie PM also shared sound-bytes with The Hindu and told the newspaper that the reversal of the earlier policy was based on “model behaviour” of India regarding its nuclear capabilities. “From the time of Independence, India has scrupulously followed international laws regardless of the ups and downs of the political situation in New Delhi. There is a very high level of trust between us, and that is why we are signing this agreement,” Abbott was also quoted as saying.

The nation of Australia will be a “long-term reliable supplier of uranium to India,” according to an External Affairs Ministry press release. The Land Down Under will also give assistance regarding the “supply of uranium, production of radio isotopes, nuclear safety and other areas of cooperation.”

The Australian premier also indicated that he was interested in the inflow of Indian investment following the signing of the nuclear deal. This deal clears the sale of uranium to India. The PM also told the media agency that he would welcome Indian companies especially in the area of infrastructure and energy. He also mentioned Adani Group and GVK Group in this context.

“Environmental groups are very hard to please and we have very high environmental standards in Australia. I am confident that there can be no reasonable objection to the current proposal. Adani Group is speaking of $16 billion for this mine, and India’s investments of under $20 billion will almost double the total amount,” Abbot was quoted by The Hindu as saying.

PM Modi will be visiting Australia in November to attend the G-20 Summit. There is pressure on India regarding the WTO trade facilitation agreement. Abbot has indicated that he will be negotiating the FTA and waiting for its passage.

The current civil nuclear cooperation deal signals the complete end of the ban by Australia for sale of uranium to India. When nuclear talks commenced in 2012, the ban had been lifted. Apart from this being the first deal of its kind signed with Australia, India is a signatory to similar such agreements with nations such as the US, UK, France, Canada and several other nations. This is yet another positive development in the field of civil nuclear cooperation.