Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is looking to overturn the longstanding ban on uranium sales to India, originally imposed because of the country's failure to sign nuclear non-proliferation treaties. South Australia's Mineral Resources Minister, Tom Koutsantonis said this was the right time to respond to India's growing need for power resources. “India is a growing economic powerhouse, selling uranium to India will help open up new markets for South Australia,” said Koutsantonis. “India is experiencing massive industrial expansion and nuclear energy will play a key role in providing an efficient and clean energy future in a carbon constrained world.” Koutsantonis said South Australia could provide India with a safe and guaranteed supply of uranium because of its large reserves. “The government supports our prime minister and this move will create thousands of jobs and secure the future prosperity of the state,” he said. The only expected objection to lifting the ban is said to be from the Labor left. Critics argue the Gillard's decision came after Australia received increasing pressure from the US. US ambassador to Australia, Jeffrey Bleich, said “uranium has been an impediment” and a “thorny point” in relations between Canberra and New Delhi. “Our view is the US sorted out its issues with India and we trust India and Australia will sort out their individual issues,” said Bleich. Washington had settled the 2008 US-India nuclear deal that exempted India from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The agreement lifted the remaining sanctions imposed on India following its 1998 nuclear tests and permitted American corporations to sell civilian nuclear technology and fuel to India. The US subsequently pushed through a waiver by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, enabling other countries to engage in nuclear sales to India. Deals with India are aimed at establishing a “strategic partnership” as part of US efforts to counter rising Chinese influence. “The US was enthusiastically involved in trying to establish the four-way strategic dialogue: India-Japan-Australia and the US. I think to the extent that a three-way would allow us to advance all our interests, then we would certainly be interested,” said Bleich. BM
