ISLAMABAD, May 17: Australia believes Pakistan is not eligible to buy uranium from it.

“India has an exemption from Nuclear Suppliers Group, which does not apply to Pakistan,” outgoing Australian High Commissioner Tim George said in his farewell press conference on Thursday.

Pakistan has repeatedly sought access to Australian uranium after Canberra’s decision to approve its sale to Delhi.

Pakistan’s position has been that as Australia has lifted the ban on a country which has not signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, it should also be allowed to benefit from the concession.

However, the Australian high commissioner said cases of India and Pakistan were different at this stage. The offer of sale of uranium to India was meant to boost trade and enhance Australia’s relationship with that country.

He said Australia had also been pursuing a policy of strengthening relationship with Pakistan.

Mr George said he was heartened to see “the deepening of our engagement which is based on a productive, friendly and mutually beneficial partnership”.