Abbott to sign uranium deal on India trip

A nuclear cooperation agreement is set to be signed when Prime Minister Tony Abbott visits India.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott boards a flight to India in Canberra

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is heading to India for trade and security talks. (AAP)

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has confirmed he hopes to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement that will enable Australia to sell uranium to India.

Mr Abbott will leave for India later on Wednesday for trade and security talks.

"My hope is to deepen the friendship between Australia and India at a time of renewed optimism in India under the new government of prime minister Modi," Mr Abbott said.

"I am hoping to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement that will enable uranium sales by Australia to India."

The Greens and uranium groups have raised concerns about the agreement.

The Minerals Council estimated a rise in demand from China and India would lead to Australia's uranium exports growing from $630 million in 2013/14 to about $1.1 billion by 2019.

Council executive director Daniel Zavattiero said India still had about 400 million people without access to electricity.

India has 21 operable nuclear power reactors, six under construction and 57 either planned or proposed.

Australia has more than a third of the world's uranium reserves.


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