Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Agreement with Aussies adds another feather to Modi’s cap' that was published in Newsband

Agreement with Aussies adds another feather to Modi’s cap

Australia and India recently signed the Agreement on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. Australia was one of the countries that strongly opposed the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests. Now Australia has 40 per cent of the world’s uranium reserves. Australia was pivotal to India’s nuclear energy road map. But fortunately, in 2011, the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard was able to overturn her Labor party’s long-standing opposition on uranium sales to India, paving the way for the signing of the agreement during Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s visit.

Australia is also looking to expand trade with India. Abbott, whose delegation included a big group of CEOs, has made no secret of his view that India’s partnership is essential to sustaining the U.S-led push to maintain the strategic balance in East Asia vis-à-vis China.

Modi’s visit to Australia for the G-20 summit and bilateral meetings will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 28 years.

There is no doubt that India's economic rise has brought Australian Prime Minister to India to do business. We are living in era of globalization, where economic cooperation is very important for all the countries to stay in the competition at the global level. India's emergence as an important market as well as source of capital made Australia to sign the nuclear pact, which has the potential to catalyze economic cooperation between the two.

Julia Gillard is the lady who deserves to be thanked. By her single support, she made our uranium supplies assured.

Our energy needs are very high and Uranium is an essential thing for nuclear energy. Our energy needs will be fulfilled by Indo-Australian bilateral ties. This is a good start by PM Modi who is continuously trying to improve relationship with other countries. The Australian PM also hit the right note by returning the stolen statues to our PM.

One more issue that needs to be seen on urgent basis is racial attack on Indians in Australia. It is matter of great concern and there is a need for people to people contact to end this scourge. In recent times number of Indians going to Australia has also dwindled due to this. Public awareness relating to this issue should be created in Australia.

Australia and India together can do wonders in this part of the world by stepping up their economic cooperation and strengthening the Asian unity further. A strong message will also go to the Chinese to desist from designs in the South China Sea and parts of India especially in Arunachal Pradesh. There is no doubt that Modi's arrival on Indian scene has started paying dividends which would not be possible under the economist PM.

Developing the energy as well as trade relationships with the Aussie is very essential for India. It would also be safe for India to develop her capabilities in substitute materials technology (Thorium) so that we really take care of our own interests rather than someone else on a fair-weather basis!