S M Krishna arrives in Australia

Natasha Chaku

Melbourne, Jan 19 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S MKrishna arrived here today on a three-day visit to attend theseventh round of the framework dialogue with his Australiancounterpart Kevin Rudd.

Krishna is expected to meet Martin Ferguson, Ministerfor Tourism, Resources and Energy later in the day to discussAustralian policy of not selling uranium to countries whichhave not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

He will also attend a dinner hosted by Australiangovernment where several leading dignitaries, including newlyappointed Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, are expected toarrive.

Krishna, who is visiting that country to attend theseventh round of the framework dialogue with his Australiancounterpart Kevin Rudd, is expected to discuss a host ofbilateral, regional and global issues, including closercollaboration on security issues in Asia and in multilateraleconomic groupings like G20.

Apart from discussing ways to further cooperationbetween the two countries in energy sector and business andtrade, Krishna is likely to raise the issue of security ofIndians in that country which comprise half-a-millionpopulation, the fourth largest immigrant community.

Krishna''s visit is said to mark the concerted effortsthat the two sides are making at the government-to-governmentlevel to take bilateral relationship to the next level byencouraging high-level dialogue and engagement.

The minister is also likely to meet Prime MinisterJulia Gillard.

Krishna would be leaving back on Friday.