India, Australia to set up group to study Indo-US N deal

New Delhi, Mar 6 (UNI) India and Australia today decided to set up a group of senior officials to study and examine the Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Energy cooperation agreement, indicating that Canberra might soften its stand on uranium supply to this country.

This was announced by visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at a joint press interaction after hour-long delegation level talks on various aspects of bilateral relations here. The two also discussed regional and international situation.

Australia is an important member of the powerful nuclear lobby--Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)--whose approval is mandatory, alongwith that of the US Congress, for implementation of the Indo-US Nuclear agreement.

Mr Howard had said before coming to India that Australia would not change its policies about not supplying Uranium to any country which has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

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