'Do Your Homework Better': Congress Rejects BJP's Uranium Credit Claim, Says Deal Began Under UPA
A political tussle has erupted over the India-Australia civil nuclear agreement, with the Congress accusing the BJP of claiming sole credit for Australia's decision to supply uranium to India. The opposition party argued that the groundwork for the agreement had been laid more than a decade ago during the UPA government, long before the latest pact was signed.
The controversy began after BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya described the uranium export arrangement as a diplomatic success achieved under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Responding to the claim, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the BJP was attempting to rewrite the history of India's civil nuclear engagement with Australia.
"On Dec 4, 2011, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard got approval of her party to sell uranium to India following the India-US Nuclear Agreement of Oct 2008," Ramesh wrote on X, adding that BJP leaders "need to do their homework better."
Ramesh maintained that the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement signed in 2008 opened the door for countries such as Australia to reconsider their policy on uranium exports to India. He also shared reports from 2011 showing Australia's Labour Party had approved uranium sales to India during the UPA era.
The BJP, however, maintained that the latest agreement reflected India's growing global influence under the Modi government. Amit Malviya argued that Australia had earlier refused to export uranium because India was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), but said the present agreement demonstrated India's emergence as a trusted strategic partner.
"This isn't just about uranium. It reflects India's transformed global standing. From being viewed through the prism of restrictions to being treated as a trusted strategic partner," Malviya said.
The political exchange comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese oversaw the signing of several bilateral agreements, including the civil nuclear energy pact. The two countries also expanded cooperation in defence, maritime security, critical minerals, energy, cyber security and advanced technologies.
While the agreement paves the way for commercial uranium supplies from Australia for India's civilian nuclear energy programme, the development has also reignited a political debate over whether the breakthrough should be credited to the Modi government or to diplomatic initiatives undertaken during the UPA years.
