ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/16/2005 7 June 2005
Australian Foreign Minister to visit India
The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Alexander Downer MP, is visiting India from 6-9 June to engage in the fourth round of the Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with the Indian Minister for External Affairs, HE Mr Natwar Singh, to be held in Delhi on 8 June.
Mr Downer's visit, beginning in Chennai on 6 June, will be an important opportunity to reinforce the value Australia places on its relationship with India and to cement the bilateral dialogue on key strategic and economic issues.
Mr Downer will discuss a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues with Mr Singh. He will also meet other Indian Ministers, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and business leaders in New Delhi and Chennai, to support the growing bilateral trade and economic relationship, which is underpinned by strong growth interest in investment in each other's countries and increasing two-way trade.
Australia-India relations have never been in better shape, with an upturn in high-level political visits, interaction between communities and business, and trade and investment flows. India's increasing strategic importance and sustained economic growth mean it is set to become one of Australia's important regional and bilateral partners.
The FMFD follows this year's successful Joint Ministerial Commission meeting on trade, Senior Officials' Talks, and the bilateral Strategic Dialogue with India. Mr Downer last visited India in April 2002.
The Australian Government is committed to developing a dynamic and forward-looking approach to our relationship with India.
Media inquiries: Shekhar Nambiar (0) 9810154267; Manu Arya 5149 4478; John Fisher 9810154256