Pakistan, July 11 -- Australia's decision to begin uranium exports to India is being presented as a forward-looking partnership built around clean energy and energy security.

The latest agreement effectively ends a 12-year stalemate over the implementation of nuclear cooperation between Australia and India. Canberra says the uranium will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and remain subject to international safeguards. But India remains a nuclear-armed state outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That fact cannot be wished away by repeatedly inserting the phrase "peaceful purposes" into official statements.

India is seeking to expand its civilian nuclear capacity dramatically, with a target of 100 gigawatts by 2047. Austra...