Oz supports uranium deal with India

Melbourne: Ahead of his visit to India, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Tuesday strongly supported sealing of the much-awaited uranium export deal with the country under "suitable safeguards".

"I make the point if we are prepared to sell uranium to Russia, and we've been prepared to do that in the past, surely we ought to be prepared to provide uranium to India under suitable safeguards," Abbott said.

"India is a full functioning democracy with the rule of law," he said, adding that his government was working with India to put suitable safeguards in place. He said Australia should be prepared to provide "support" and that is what his upcoming visit would be all about. Abbott will arrive in Delhi on September 4 to further strengthen the strategic partnership and promote trade and investment between the two countries. Earlier, Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb, who will accompany Abbott on his India visit, said, "We have satisfied ourselves that the steps are in place."