Australia not to supply uranium to India

Australia on Tuesday ruled out changing its policy and said it would not supply uranium to India, which is seeking fuel for its nuclear energy programme, a media report said.

Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean told reporters in Canberra: "There is no prospect for a change.
"We have consistently said, made this clear to India that we, because of our policy, cannot supply to countries that are non-signatories to the non-proliferation treaty," the Australian Financial Review quoted him as saying.

In August 2007, the government of John Howard agreed to sell uranium to India subject to the finalisation of a US-India nuclear deal and the conclusion of a bilateral Australia-India nuclear safeguards agreement.

But Kevin Rudd's government overturned the decision after taking power in December that year.

First Published: Apr 06, 2010 17:36 IST