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The Chairperson of the Sub Continent Friends of Labor Harish Velji sends exclusive Photos & Article to Sada-e-Watan

The Sub Continent Friends of Labor has welcomed the change in the policy direction of the Australian Labor Party at its National Conference in Sydney to sell uranium to India.

Whilst some of the people within our community have been trying to hijack credit for the Labor Party policy change, The Financial Review credited Sub Continent of Labor for having argued for the change in the policy direction.

The Chairperson of the Sub Continent Friends of Labor , Harish Velji said "I am very pleased that the National Conference of the Australian Labor Party has listened to us.

"The first campaign to change the policy began few days after our 2007 federal elections victory and it gained substantial momentum after the formation of the Sub Continent Friends of Labor in early 2010.

"This change gained momentum because of Michelle Rowland, Member for Greenway, Ed Husic Member for Chiefly and Hon David Bradbury, Member for Penrith who had extremely close association with our group.

"This made it very easy for us to communicate directly with Prime Minister Gillard and also through these members as well.

"During our meeting with the Prime Minister, a number of ministers and members of parliament in May in Canberra it become very obvious that the change was in way.

"We knew we had won.

"We urge the Gillard Government to ratify the treaty with India within its term of the office.

"I would like to thank on behalf of the Sub Continent Friends of Labor to our Prime Minister Gillard, Hon Kevin Rudd, Hon Steven Smith, Hon Martin Ferguson and also in particular Michelle Rowland, Ed Husic, Hon David Bradbury and Hon John Robertson for tremendous support.

"We also take this opportunity to deeply acknowledge, the great work done by the our first time members of the Federal Parliament, Ed Husic Member for Chiefly and in particular Michelle Rowland Member for Greenway who have taken the relationship between the Sub Continent Community and the Federal Government to great un precedent heights."

"This relationship that Michelle Rowland and Ed Husic have taken to this new heights have taken has not happened by accident but because it is from their heart they have this undisputed dedication and support for the sub continent community.

"Michelle Rowland has been no doubt a tower of support and strength to the Indian community.

Meanwhile, this is the second big delivery by the members of the Sub Continent Friends of Labor after delivering Hindi as part of the second language as part of national circular to the Indian community in Australia.

Michelle Rowland Member for Greenway said "Trading Australian uranium with India makes sense on an economic and social level.  India is the world’s largest democracy, which has repeatedly demonstrated its interest in non-proliferation."

"There is no reason why appropriate safeguards cannot be attached to the sale,monitored and audited for compliance. "

"Our relationship with India in the Asian Century must be based on more than cricket and culture – it’s also about trust. Good neighbours trust one another to trade with one another. "

" I believe the most compelling factor in this debate has been the desire for our region to prosper and lift all its peoples out of poverty.  That means access to basic needs such as reliable energy supply.  "

"My views on lifting the ban on the sale of Australian uranium to India were also informed by the large Indian community I represent in Greenway, who consistently raised with me the illogical situation where we are prepared to deal with countries such as China and Russia, but not a neighbour whom we claim to be our friend.  "

"Australia can and will make this policy work for the betterment of our region and to generate wealth and jobs at home."

Australia which is part of IAEA and Nuclear Suppliers Group approved in 2008 decided that India's safeguard were strong enough to export uranium. This was under Rudd government in 2008.

 "The decision taken by ALP National Conference should profoundly change the nature of the relationship between Australia and India said Ed Husic Member for Chiefly.

"India is a great friend to Australia.  Our relationship has been unnecessarily strained because of our respective positions on this issue.

"The evolution of thinking on this matter – primarily through the introduction of the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement –  has shown how we can provide India with access to this resource with appropriate safeguards in place.

"And we can do so with the confidence that this is being done for a stable democracy and vital partner to Australia.

"I'd like to make particular mention of the special role played by the Sub-Continent Friends of Labor, who patiently and sensibly argued the case to review Australia’s position on this issue "said Ed Husic.

The president of the peak Indian body in Australia, Amarinder Bajwa of United India Association was extremely delighted with change of the policy direction by the Labor Party.

"I am overwhelmed that the Labor Party has decided to export uranium to India. This has happened within three years of Nuclear Suppliers Group agreeing to exempt India from ratification of Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty.

"United India Association is grateful to Sub Continent Friends of Labor, Michelle Rowland Member for Greenway and Ed Husic Member for Chiefly for having delivered this very important result.

"They have represented our interest well.

Special Minister of State Senator Hon.Penny Wong,Mr.Harish Velji and Minister for Defence Hon.Stephen Smith at ALP National Conference held on 02-04 Dec 2011at Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour Sydney