June 23, 2008, India on Monday said that its commitment to non-proliferation is 'second to none' and the issue of procuring uranium from Australia will come up once it firms up an international arrangement for nuclear commerce.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who met his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith in Canberra, also said it was too early to refer to the issue of uranium sale as political discussions back home on implementing the India-United States nuclear agreement were still on.
"I have not come here with one issue of getting uranium from Australia. We are aware of the Labour party position on uranium for quite some time. Australia's commitment to non-proliferation is firm and we respect that," he said at a joint press conference after the meeting.
"So far our requirement of uranium is concerned, I think it's too early to refer to that as it has been pointed out by Minister Smith...I am really busy back home at the political front, in regard to implementing the 123 agreement with the US," Mukherjee added.
"Once we have the entire process in place and uranium trade with India is permissible as per the international arrangement, then and there the question will come," he said.
Smith said if and when the 123 Agreement reaches the International Atomic Energy Agency or the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Australia would give consideration to what the arrangement is.
"We have told US government also that when such a thing happens, Australia will then give its consideration to the proposal."
Mukherjee also affirmed that India's commitment to non-proliferation is second to none and the two countries share a common goal of a nuclear-free world.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who met his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith in Canberra, also said it was too early to refer to the issue of uranium sale as political discussions back home on implementing the India-United States nuclear agreement were still on.
"I have not come here with one issue of getting uranium from Australia. We are aware of the Labour party position on uranium for quite some time. Australia's commitment to non-proliferation is firm and we respect that," he said at a joint press conference after the meeting.
"So far our requirement of uranium is concerned, I think it's too early to refer to that as it has been pointed out by Minister Smith...I am really busy back home at the political front, in regard to implementing the 123 agreement with the US," Mukherjee added.
"Once we have the entire process in place and uranium trade with India is permissible as per the international arrangement, then and there the question will come," he said.
Smith said if and when the 123 Agreement reaches the International Atomic Energy Agency or the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Australia would give consideration to what the arrangement is.
"We have told US government also that when such a thing happens, Australia will then give its consideration to the proposal."
Mukherjee also affirmed that India's commitment to non-proliferation is second to none and the two countries share a common goal of a nuclear-free world.
Source: www.rediff.com
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