MELBOURNE, July 9: Australia has agreed to supply enriched uranium to India for use in its civilian nuclear energy programme under a landmark administrative agreement signed on Thursday during bilateral talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The agreement, signed in Melbourne, allows India to import Australian uranium exclusively for peaceful civilian electricity generation under the safeguards and monitoring framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The deal marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation on clean energy as India pursues its ambitious target of generating at least 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047. To achieve that goal, New Delhi has long sought access to Australia’s vast uranium reserves, among the largest in the world.
Although the two countries reached a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in principle in 2014, uranium exports were delayed for years over concerns that the material could be diverted for military purposes. The newly signed administrative arrangement is expected to address those concerns by establishing a framework to ensure the fuel is used solely for peaceful purposes.
Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, Prime Minister Albanese said Australia was pleased to finalize the administrative arrangements required to facilitate uranium exports to India under the 2014 agreement.
“We are delighted to announce the completion of the necessary administrative arrangements to ensure the export of Australian uranium to India exclusively for peaceful purposes under the 2014 agreement,” Albanese said.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the agreement, describing it as a major boost to India’s transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. He said the deal would support the country’s long-term energy security while reinforcing its commitment to low-carbon development.