INDIA says it still hopes to buy Australian uranium despite the Rudd Government's export veto due to New Delhi's refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Following talks in Perth on Tuesday, described as "friendly and cordial", the Indian high commission said yesterday an "India-specific safeguards agreement" was being negotiated with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

If successful, the agreement should overcome Canberra's concerns on uranium sales to India, it said.

But a spokesman for Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the Government's position was one of "wait and see".

"The Government has not yet made a decision on future steps on implementing the Civil Nuclear Co-operation Initiative, approval of the IAEA safeguards agreement when negotiated and consideration by the Nuclear Suppliers Group of an exception to the NSG guidelines to enable civil-nuclear co-operation with India," he said.

The Minerals Council of Australia said it was watching developments but added any decision on uranium sales was a matter for the federal Government.

"We take our lead from the Australian Government on this," MCA spokeswoman Louise Dodson said yesterday.