SINGAPORE (AFP) 12 August 2008 - — Australia will support a civilian atomic energy deal between India and the United States at a meeting of key nuclear supplier states, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said here Tuesday.Rudd's statement comes ahead of an August 21 meeting in Vienna of the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group on the deal, under which the United States will provide energy-starved India with nuclear fuel and technology.
Australia is a key member of the NSG, which must approve the US-India deal in order for it to proceed. The US Congress must also ratify the agreement.
"We have already indicated to the most recent meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors that the government of Australia would not stand in the way of such an agreement," Rudd said after giving a lecture. More >>>
