The External Affairs Minister, Mr S.M. Krishna, will arrive here on Wednesday on a three-day visit to attend the third round of the framework dialogue with his Australian counterpart, Mr Kevin Rudd.

During his meeting with Mr Rudd, Mr Krishna is expected to discuss a host of bilateral, regional and global issues, including closer collaboration on security issues in Asia and in multilateral economic groupings such as G20.

Mr Krishna’s visit is said to mark the concerted efforts that the two sides are making at the government-to-government level to take bilateral relationship to the next level by encouraging high-level dialogue and engagement.

The two sides are expected to deliberate on many levels including economic and strategic spheres.

There are speculations that the visiting minister could again raise the uranium sale issue with Australia and also discuss the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) pact. The two sides have agreed to accept the feasibility report on the proposed FTA.

Apart from discussing ways to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in business and trade, Mr Krishna would also discuss about the steps taken by the Australian Government to prevent attacks against Indian students.

In the past, Australia had said that India has become an important player on the major global issues, not the least climate change and international trade.

The Australian Government further said that it valued dialogue with the Indian Government on these and other global issues and wanted to work with India to achieve outcomes, which serve the community of nations in a balanced way.

According to official sources, Mr Krishna will also meet the Indian media and will also attend the Indian community reception here on Thursday. The Minister is also likely to meet the Prime Minister, Ms Julia Gillard.

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