India’s long-range nuclear capable Agni-V missile pictured being test-launched in 2012.
Expert warns SA that uranium supply deal with India could end up in its nuclear weapons
John Carlson was director general of the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office, in the Department of Foreign Affairs, until 2010 and has held other posts on safeguarding radioactive elements.
Mr Carlson, who is pro-nuclear, told the Sunday Mail that the treaty being worked out for Australia to sell uranium to India was flimsy, and said South Australia’s people and companies should be concerned about where the state’s uranium ended up.
India has huge demand for cheap energy, which Australian uranium can provide, but it is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and is developing weapons.
Mr Carlson said India had a history of disregarding commitments it had made, had refused to meet safety standards and “is actually increasing its nuclear arsenal”.
“They’re basically saying ‘trust us’,” he said.
“This agreement is very different to all our other agreements. There’s much less detail in it. Only India, Pakistan and North Korea are producing weapons … you’d have to think this would be a watertight agreement (but) it’s very weak.
“I think there’s a reputational issue for the industry. There’s a problem for South Australian citizens.”
DFAT referred the Sunday Mail to current director general Robert Floyd’s comments at a recent public hearing that the safeguards were adequate.
Dr Floyd said there were processes in place if India violated the treaty, with the ultimate process being to terminate the agreement.
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