Odishatv Bureau

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

During his meeting with Rudd, 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 like G20.

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Krishna`s visit is said to mark the concerted efforts that the two sides are making at the government-to-government level to take the 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 is speculation 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 cooperation between the two countries in business and trade, Krishna would also like to know 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 major global issues, not 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 that serve the community of nations in a balanced way.

The last annual meet was held in India in 2009 and was attended by the then foreign minister Stephen Smith.

According to official sources, Krishna would also meet the ethnic Indian media and will also attend the Indian community reception here on Thursday apart from newly appointed Victorian premier Ted Belluie.

The minister is also likely to meet Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Krishna will be leaving back on Friday.

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