2 March 2010
Visit to India
I will visit India from Tuesday 2 March to Thursday 4 March 2010. This is my third visit to India as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
My visit to India will advance Australia and India's bilateral, regional and international cooperation under the framework of the Australia-India Strategic Partnership.
During my visit to India, I will also brief the Indian Government on the actions taken by authorities to create a safe and rewarding study environment for Indian students in Australia.
I will meet with Minister for External Affairs S M Krishna, following on from our meeting in London in January.
Minister Krishna and I will discuss Australia's and India's close cooperation in trying to solve the recent problems faced by some Indians in Australia.
We will also discuss our common interests and the range of international political and economic issues.
I will also discuss Australia-India education, science and technology links and the importance of trade and agriculture to our two countries, as well as discuss the progress in the joint Australia-India Free Trade Agreement feasibility study.
I will brief the Indian Government on Australia's recently announced Counter-Terrorism White Paper. I will also seek an update on security arrangements for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi later this year.
During my visit to India in October last year, I visited two sites for the Commonwealth Games. This week I will visit the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium which will serve as the main stadium in October.
The 2010 Men's Hockey World Cup has commenced in New Delhi. Today, Australia and India will play a friendship game for the Ajit Pal - Charlesworth Trophy. I will join Kapil Sibal, Minister for Human Resource Development, at the game and meet the Indian and Australian teams.
Media inquiries
Foreign Minister's office: (02) 6277 7500
Departmental Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555