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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard Oct 17
on a wide cluster of issues that included civil
nuclear cooperation, intensification of economic
ties and enhanced counter-terror and security
cooperation.
"We have agreed to begin negotiations for
an agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation,
which will precede actual cooperation," Manmohan
Singh said at a joint media statement with Gillard.
"As you are aware, under Prime Minister
Gillard, the Australian Labour Party has articulated
a new policy on uranium sales to India. This is
recognition of India's energy needs as well as
of our record and credentials and I have expressed
to Prime Minister Gillard our India's appreciation
of this development," he said.
The launch of nuclear negotiations marks a turning
point in bilateral ties that were blossoming in
virtually all areas, but were held back by Canberra's
reservations over selling uranium to a country
which has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT). Gillard, the prime mover behind
the India-Australia nuclear rapprochement, however,
has made it clear that the deal could take a year
or two before uranium exports begin.
In December last year, the ruling Labour Party
reversed an earlier policy of not selling uranium
to countries which have not signed the NPT.
"Australia has opened the door for uranium
sales to India," Gillard told industry leaders
ahead of a meeting with Manmohan Singh, adding"
"I look forward to discussing the next steps
for our peaceful nuclear co-operation when I meet
with Prime Minister Singh."
The decision has removed a "point of tension"
in relations between the nations, she stressed.
"Australia has changed, in determining
to export uranium to India. India is changing,
through important economic reforms in areas like
energy, aviation and retail," she added.
The two sides also announced a slew of steps
that will imbue their burgeoning ties with greater
depth and diversity. The initiatives include annual
meetings at the summit level, either bilaterally
or during multilateral events, a ministerial-level
dialogue on energy security and setting up of
a water technology partnership. They also decided
to start negotiations for an agreement on transfer
of sentenced persons. The two countries also decided
to expand the strategic canvas of their partnership
by agreeing to work closely in creating an inclusive
order in the Asia-Pacific region.
"We are also developing wide-ranging cooperation
in defence and security issues, including the
fight against terrorism, in all of which we regard
Australia as an important partner," Manmohan
Singh said.
The two sides decided to step up negotiations
for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
that will help scale up bilateral trade and investment.
"There is great potential to further strengthen
India-Australia bilateral trade and investment
relations, which continue to show robust growth,"
Manmohan Singh said.
Bilateral trade in goods was estimated to be
$17.4 billion in 2011-12, while India's investments
in Australia are around S$ 11 billion. Speaking
to business leader, Gillard said the two countries
have set a goal of doubling bilateral trade to
$40 billion by 2015.
(IANS)
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