India's efforts to buy Australian uranium could receive a setback with North Korea announcing its first nuclear test.During a meeting today, a Australian coalition member warned the government that it would not be a good time to change its policy and supply uranium to India that has not signed the NPT, a media report said here."It is important that we do all we can to make sure the non-proliferation regime does not unravel and now would not be a good time to sell uranium to India that is not a member of the NPT," an Australian government spokesman quoted them as saying.There was no response from Prime Minister John Howard or any other minister, the spokesman said. Australia has condemned the test and today summoned North Korea's ambassador to voice its displeasure.Foreign Minister Alexander Downer had summoned Ambassador Chon Jae Hong to Parliament House and told him Australia would support United Nations sanctions against North Korea.In a diplomatic note, Downer warned the test could prompt other countries in the region to take up arms. "North Korea's actions risk fuelling a regional arms race, further undermining its own security," he said.Government backbenchers believe Australia should forget any plans to change its uranium supply policy, amid fears that more countries in the region will develop weapons.Fears are growing that North Korea's action could fuel a regional arms race and set back global efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
