India, Australia complete formalities for civil nuclear pact

ANTALYA: India and Australia today announced completion of all the formalities for their bilateral civil nuclear agreement, paving way for the pact to come into force.

The announcement was made after a meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull here on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. "Another milestone achievement as two PMs announce completion of procedures for India Australia Civil Nuclear Agreement," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted after the meeting.

"With the completion of procedures, including administrative arrangements, the India Australia Civil Nuclear Agreement will enter into force," he said. Australia had signed a civil nuclear agreement with India in September last year to supply it uranium for meeting Indian energy needs.

Australia has got 40 per cent of the world's uranium and the deal is important for both the countries.

Modi thanked Turnbull and described the agreement as a "milestone and source of trust and confidence".