Won't sell uranium to India: Australia

A day after India and the United States clinched the civilian nuclear co-operation pact, Australia said it will not sell uranium to India until it signs the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on Friday welcomed the deal brokered by US President George W Bush, according to which India will open its civilian nuclear reactors to international inspections for the first time.

But Downer said Australia will not alter its long-standing policy that blocks the sale of uranium.

He said it could result in other countries, which have not signed the NPT, making bids for Australian uranium.

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