New Delhi: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia, India today said negotiations in working out the "administrative arrangements" that will govern the actual implementation of the landmark India-Australia nuclear deal is making "good progress".
The deal inked between the two countries on September 6 during Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot's visit to India will allow the supply of much-needed uranium for India's nuclear plants. Modi will undertake a three-day bilateral visit to Australia after the conclusion of the G20 summit in Brisbane on November 16.
The two countries are likely to sign four to five agreements and MoUs after Modi's talks with Abbott in Canberrra, Anil Wadhwa, Secretary(East) in External Affairs Ministry, told reporters.
The pacts relate to transfer of sentenced prisoners, cooperation in combating Narcotics trade, social security, tourism and culture.
"Work on the administrative arrangements is proceeding smoothly. There is good progress," Wadhwa said in reply to a question on the progress in implementation of the India-Australian civil nuclear deal.
Modi and Abbott during their talks in Delhi had directed their respective negotiators to conclude the administrative arrangements pertaining to the civil nuclear pact at an early date that will facilitate uranium trade.
Australia has about 40 per cent of the world's uranium reserves and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes of yellow cake annually. India and Australia had commenced negotiations for the sale of uranium in early 2012.
Modi, who leaves for Myanmar on Tuesday to attend the ASEAN-India summit and East Asian Summit, will be in Australia on the second leg of this three-nation 10-day foreign tour that will also take him to Fiji.
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