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Australia working out position on India's nuke ambitions: MEA
New Delhi, January 16, 2008
Australia has assured that it would firm up its position
with regard to India's civil nuclear ambitions in the light of
its "existing friendly" relations with the country although
the ruling party's policy did not allow cooperation in the
field with a non-NPT nation, government said.
During a meeting between Prime Minister's special envoy Shyam
Saran and Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith in Perth,
Canberra conveyed that it was in the process of working out
its position with regard to cooperation with New Delhi in
civil nuclear field, the External Affairs Ministry said in a
statement.
Earlier reports said the Australian government had ruled out
civil nuclear cooperation with India.
Smith said that his government was "in the process of working
out its position in this regard and in doing so would take
fully into account the importance of existing friendly
relations and expanding ties with India, the largest democracy
in the world," the MEA statement said.
At the same time, the Australian Foreign Minister drew Saran's
attention to the "long-held position of his party that a
Labour government would not supply uranium to a non-NPT
country."
During the meeting, the Special Envoy briefed the Minister on
the current state of India's negotiations with the IAEA on an
India-specific safeguards agreement and the next steps that
would follow, the MEA said.
"This would include consideration by the Nuclear Suppliers
Group of a decision to adjust its guidelines to enable its
members to engage in civil nuclear co-operation with India,"
it said.
In this context, the Special Envoy sought Australia's support
in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and expressed the hope that
when the nuclear energy market in India opened up, Australia
would also become a "valued partner", it said.
The Special Envoy, while noting the Labour Government's
position in this regard, emphasized India's "impeccable record
in non-proliferation, a record that has been universally
acknowledged and appreciated", the statement said.
Saran, recalled Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's invitation to
Prime Minister Rudd to visit India during the course of this
year.
Saran and Smith also talked about the third test match between
India and Australia in Perth beginning Wednesday, saying they
looked forward to an "exciting and friendly encounter" between
the two teams.
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