US, UK agree to exchange 'naval nuclear propulsion information' with Australia: WH

White House on Friday, 19 November, announced that an agreement has been reached with United Kingdom and Australia for exchange of “naval nuclear propulsion information”. According to a press note, US President Joe Biden gave a proposed agreement on nuclear technology exchange his nod and said that performance of agreement will promote and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to common defence and security. 

“ Agreement will permit cooperation, which will furr improve our mutual defense posture and support our interests under North Atlantic Treaty; Australia, New Zealand, and United States Security Treaty; and enhanced trilateral security partnership among three Parties known as AUKUS,” Biden said. 

“I hereby approve Agreement, determine that performance of Agreement will promote and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to common defense and security, and authorize execution of Agreement by United States Government in a manner specified by Secretary of State,” he ded. 

AUKUS trilateral pact 

On September 15, Australia, US and UK announced a trilateral security partnership to ensure strategic upgration of maritime security in Souastern international waters. "historic step" is said to be a joint effort of three nations and is seen as a move to counter China-ministered aggression in South-East China Sea. As unveiled by leers, submarines will hold nuclear power and not nuclear weapons.

By reaching deal with US and UK, Australia cancelled a $65 billion defence deal with France to buy 12 diesel-electric submarines - something French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called a "stab in back". Meanwhile, trilateral AUKUS deal also faced considerable backlash from China. A Chinese state-run newspaper quoted PLA military officials as saying that AUKUS will "potentially make Australia a target of a nuclear strike if a war breaks out" since US is refraining island continent from owning ballistic missiles.

(Image: AP)