Australia will support India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group

Media release

18 November 2013

The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, has announced that Australia will support India's full membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

"I was pleased to inform the Indian External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid, of the decision of the Australian government to support India's full membership of the NSG, just as we will support India's participation in all of the major export control regimes", said Ms Bishop during her visit to Delhi on 18 November.

"Australia's decision acknowledges India's emergence as a major producer and potential exporter of nuclear energy and technology", said Ms Bishop.

The Australian Government's decision to support India's membership of the NSG is made in the context of the strong and growing strategic partnership that exists between India and Australia.

Australia also joined in the NSG consensus decision in 2008 to grant India a waiver from its existing rules, which had prevented India from engaging in the international nuclear trade with NSG members.

Other NSG members, including the US, UK, France and Russia, have expressed support for India's NSG membership.

Australia and India have entered negotiations for a bilateral Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement which would provide for the sale of Australian uranium to India, subject to safeguards and other requirements being met.

The third round of negotiations will take place in New Delhi on 26-27 November.