Burying their past differences, Australia and India opened a new chapter in bilateral ties when, during Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's visit to India, the two nations signed the long-awaited agreement on civil nuclear cooperation that entitles India to buy uranium from Australia, after years of negotiation.
It was Abbott's predecessor, Julia Gillard, who paved the way in 2012 for a uranium safeguards agreement that has finally allowed Australia to export uranium to India. The safeguards pact is viewed as critical by those who have opposed the changing Australian policy of nuclear trade with a country like India that has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
By underlying strict requirements on the safe use of nuclear fuel and specifying regulations in consonance with the global nuclear regime, Canberra is keen to signal its continued adherence to international nuclear standards even as it reaches out to New Delhi to give a boost to its mining industry.
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