Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh has dismissed claims that Australia's uranium sales to India represent a diplomatic breakthrough for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that the approval was granted in 2011 under a previous government.
Congress rebuts BJP's narrative on uranium deal
In a statement issued on Friday, Ramesh said, "The BJP ecosystem is on an overdrive to show that Australia's uranium sales to India are a Modi breakthrough." He clarified that the decision to sell uranium to India was made by Australia's ruling party in 2011, during the tenure of then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Ramesh emphasized that the sale was a result of bipartisan support in Australia, not a recent achievement. The deal, which allows Australia to export uranium to India for civilian nuclear energy, was finalized after years of negotiations and was initially approved by the Australian Labor Party government.
Historical context of India-Australia uranium trade
India and Australia signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2014, but the groundwork was laid earlier. In 2011, Australia's Labor government overturned a long-standing policy banning uranium sales to India, citing India's strong non-proliferation record. The decision faced opposition from some quarters but was eventually passed with cross-party backing.
The first shipment of Australian uranium arrived in India in 2017, under the Modi government. However, Ramesh argued that crediting Modi for the entire process ignores the foundational work done by previous administrations.
Political implications and reactions
The Congress leader's comments come amid heightened political debate over foreign policy achievements. The BJP has often highlighted the uranium deal as a sign of India's growing global stature under Modi. Ramesh, however, called for a more accurate historical accounting, stating that "diplomatic successes are rarely the work of a single individual or government."
He also noted that the uranium supply supports India's civilian nuclear energy program, which is crucial for meeting the country's growing energy demands. The deal is part of a broader strategic partnership between India and Australia, encompassing defense, trade, and technology.
