Australia, India to work jointly against terrorism
Updated
The Australian and Indian governments have agreed to work closer together to fight terrorism.
Australia's foreign minister, Stephen Smith, and his visiting Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee, have signed treaties that strengthen extradition laws and improve intelligence cooperation.
They have also approved regular meetings between the defence force chiefs of both countries.
The two ministers signed the pacts during talks in the Australian capital, Canberra.
Mr Mukharjee says terrorism is undermining efforts for peace in the Asia Pacific region and needs to be tackled effectively.
"The two treaties that we have just signed would help our efforts in combating terrorism and international crime by providing them with an institutional and legal foundation," he said.
Uranium sales
Meanwhile, Mr Mukherjee says his country respects the Australian government's decision not to allow uranium sales to his country.
Australia has refused to approve uranium sales because India has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Mr Mukherjee says Australia's position on uranium sales was not a major part of the discussions with Mr Smith.
"We [have been] aware of the position of the Labor party in Australia for quite some time," he said.
"Australia's commitment to non-proliferation is firm and we respect that."
The nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, adopted in 1968, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The NPT incorporates a safeguards system under the responsibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA.
