Guwahati, July 10 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership after India and Australia concluded a uranium export agreement, saying the development reflected a dramatic shift in bilateral relations over the past decade.

In a post on X, CM Sarma contrasted Australia’s stand in 2010 with the latest agreement reached during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, describing it as “the Modi difference”.

“It is all about the right leadership. Chose wisely,” the Chief Minister wrote while sharing a graphic comparing the two developments.

The image juxtaposed a news report published in April 2010, when Australia had ruled out selling uranium to India because New Delhi was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), with another report dated Thursday, stating that India and Australia had struck a deal on uranium exports during PM Modi’s visit.

The Chief Minister argued that the comparison highlighted how India’s global standing and strategic partnerships have strengthened under the Modi government.

The uranium export agreement is being viewed as another milestone in the deepening India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both countries expanding cooperation across critical minerals, clean energy, defence, trade and the Indo-Pacific.

India’s access to Australian uranium is expected to strengthen its long-term energy security by supporting the country’s civilian nuclear power programme.

Australia possesses some of the world’s largest uranium reserves, while India has been seeking reliable fuel supplies to meet its growing energy requirements.

CM Sarma has frequently used social media to underline what he describes as the achievements of the Modi government in foreign policy, infrastructure development and economic reforms. His latest post comes amid renewed political messaging by the BJP against the opposition.

The India-Australia uranium agreement has also been projected by BJP leaders as evidence of New Delhi’s enhanced diplomatic credibility and its ability to secure strategic partnerships that were considered difficult in the past. The BJP has highlighted it as a significant diplomatic achievement under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

–IANS

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