India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (2014)
The India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement was signed in September 2014 during an Australian Prime Minister's visit to New Delhi. The agreement aims to promote cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and provides for long-term reliable supplies of uranium to India. Australia holds approximately 40% of the world's known uranium reserves, making it one of the world's most significant potential suppliers. A key safeguard embedded in the agreement requires that Australian uranium be used exclusively for civilian purposes, with India maintaining a verified separation of civilian and military nuclear facilities. The agreement entered into force in 2015, but commercial uranium supply has not yet commenced as of 2026.
- Australia is a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and is party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT); India is not a signatory to the NPT.
- The 2008 NSG waiver granted India an exception allowing nuclear trade with NSG member states while retaining its nuclear weapons programme — a foundational enabler for all of India's subsequent civil nuclear agreements.
- India has civil nuclear agreements with multiple countries including the USA (123 Agreement), Russia, France, Canada, South Korea, UK, and Japan.
- India is not a member of the NSG despite applying formally in 2016; China has blocked consensus citing India's non-NPT status.
● Tracked since July 03, 2026 · last seen July 28, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes