Islamabad, December 08: “Pakistan does not have the same record so far as proliferation is concerned. Secondly, Pakistan has not voluntarily placed itself under the authority of the International Atomic Energy Agency or the Nuclear Suppliers Group,”.
Smith said India will have to agree to a range of safeguards before shipments begin.
The Australian defense minister said he had assured Indian officials the new export policy did not extend to Pakistan.
Australia’s ruling Labor Party voted on Sunday to overturn a long-standing ban on uranium exports to India.
India is believed to increase its use of nuclear power from three percent of electricity generation to 40 percent by 2050.
According to predictions made by Australia’s uranium lobby, by 2030, the country could be selling up to 2,500 tons a year to India.
The uranium sale decision is expected to escalate tensions between India and its arch-rival Pakistan.
Nuclear-capable India and Pakistan, which have fought three wars, two over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir, routinely carry out tests of nuclear-capable missiles but normally notify each other in advance under an agreement.
India and Pakistan have also occasionally tested conventional and unconventional weapons since their independence.
Both neighbors have refused to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and other international regulatory pacts that restrict developing or testing nuclear weapons.
—-Agencies