Australian and Indian PMs to discuss nuclear trade

AUSTRALIA: Prime Minister John Howard said he would talk with his Indian counterpart later Thursday over the expected sale of uranium to New Delhi to help fuel the South Asian nation's burgeoning power needs.

Howard's Cabinet agreed in principle earlier this week to sell the nuclear fuel to India despite its to sign an international nonproliferation treaty.

"I will be speaking to the Indian prime minister (Manmohan Singh) later today about issues relating to the possible supply of uranium to that country," Howard told Parliament. "We would only supply uranium to India for peaceful purposes and if proper safeguards are in place as we have with China," he added, referring to a recent agreement reached with Beijing.

Howard said India would have to agree to international inspections of its nuclear power plants and complete the details of its nuclear partnership pact with the United States.

Canberra, Thursday, AP