New Delhi: Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said that there is no intention to change the uranium sale policy to facilitate the sale of the radioactive mineral to India.
Howard said this after his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh where the Indian PM made a strong pitch for the resumption of uranium sale.
Manmohan Singh said the Indian officials will brief their Australian counterparts on the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal.
Manmohan said India would like to trade with Australia in all areas and "we are short of uranium and we would like Australia to sell uranium to India."
He expressed the hope that the Australian governement will take a positive view of the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Howard added that Australia will decide its positions on change in policy only after getting more information about the deal.
He, however, added that the Indo-US nuclear deal is a very significant agreement that brings India's nuclear capacity under international inspection.
Earlier, Singh in an interview to The Australian newspaper, said he would ask Howard to back the Indo-US nuclear deal and lift the ban on sale of uranium to New Delhi.
"I very much hope Australia, as a member of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group, would endorse what I and US President George W Bush have worked out. This is an arrangement which helps the cause of nuclear non-proliferation. India has an impeccable record of not entering into any unauthorised arms proliferation," he told the Australian daily.
Meanwhile seeking to expand ties with New Delhi beyond the political and economic spheres, Australia announced a 25 million Australian dollar research assistance to India to foster cooperation in science and technology, including biotechnology.
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The two countries would be signing an MoU to deepen research cooperation in biotechnology, the Australian Prime Minister said during an interaction with Indian industry captains at CII-FICCI-Assocham organised conference.
Mentioning that Australia has become a hot favourite among Indian tourists and entertainment industry, Howard said: "to facilitate this growth, I am pleased to announce that the Australian government will allow Indian citizens to access our tourist e-visa scheme."
Referring to the large global increase in demand for energy like LNG and tight international resources, he said: "I am encouraged that we are working on these issues."
The establishment of the Australia-India Joint Working Group on Energy and Minerals would be an "important vehicle to address trade and investment issues in the sector, exchange information on policy developments and identify possible commercial outcomes."
"Our trade relationship is still maturing, and much more could be done to further facilitate and diversify two-way trade and investment," Howard said, adding that further relaxation of barriers that hinder free flow of goods and investment would allow markets to prosper and expand the economic complementarities between the two countries.
He also expressed satisfaction over the signing of the agreements for defence cooperation and air services.
"I welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation... This will be a formal expression of our mutual interest in working more closely to enhancing peace and security in our region," Howard said.
The MoU will cover maritime cooperation to check terrorist threat in Malacca Straits, the key sea lane for trade.
It was signed by Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt and Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy in the presence of John Howard and Manmohan Singh, also provides for cooperation in military training, defence industries and defence research and development.
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For implementing the MoU, New Delhi and Canberra also agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on defence on the pattern of similar high-level working groups India has with France, Russia and the US.
"India and Australia share common interests in the stabilty of Asia-Pacific region, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, fight against terrorism and ensuring security of lanes of amss communication in the region", a defence ministry statement said after signing of the MOU.
The statement said the conclusion of an MOU is seen as "realization of the need for developing close and constructive defence cooperation in areas of common interest".
On the agreement on air services, he said this would allow the Indian carrier into the Aussie-India aviation market either operating its own aircraft services or in cooperation with an Australian carrier under code share arrangements.
"It will provide greater commercial flexibility for airlines to undertake their operations and provide better services for passsengers," Howard said.
Complimenting India for its efforts to normalise relations with Pakistan, Howard said, "like many in the world, we have welcomed the improved ties between India and Pakistan, and hope that the dialogue will greatly ease tensions that have held South Asia back from reaching its full potential."
"Australia seeks a partnership with India whereby we can work together for the peace and stability in the region," he said.
Speaking at the conference, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said the Trade and Economic Framework signed between the two countries would open up new growth avenues for trade and economic cooperation.
"The initiative will support further expansion of bilateral economic and commercial ties and would facilitate future development of relationship on a balanced and comprehensive basis," Nath said.
Howard also met UPA chairperson and Congress Chief Sonia Ganghi and is understood to have discussed bilateral, regional and international matters.
Minister of state for External Affairs Anand Sharma and Chairman of AICC's Foreign Affairs Department Karan Singh were also present during the 45-minute meeting between Gandhi and Howard at her official residence.
(With inputs from PTI)
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