By NNN-PTI,
Canberra : India and Australia have stepped up efforts to boost their strategic relationship despite Canberra’s reluctance to supply uranium to India even after its endorsement of the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal, a top Indian envoy said here today.
Australia’s reluctance to supply uranium to India despite endorsing the crucial India-US nuclear pact signed in October 2008 has not come in the way of the two countries’ efforts to build a vibrant strategic relationship, said Sujatha Singh, India’s High Commissioner to Australia here.
The top envoy said Australia, home to 35 per cent of uranium deposits of the world, supported India’s efforts to get approval of the nuclear deal, both at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the IAEA.
However, Australia’s decision not to supply uranium to India is more “ideological,” given the firm policy of the ruling Labour Party on the issue, she told a group of visiting Indian journalists here.
India understands Kevin Rudd government’s inability to decide in favour of supplying uranium and it will not come in the way of forging strategic ties between the two countries, she said, replying to questions on the rational of Australia not willing supply uranium despite NSG and IAEA endorsements.