S M Krishna arrives in Australia

Krishna is expected to meet Martin Ferguson, Minister for Tourism, Resources and Energy later in the day to discuss Australian policy of not selling uranium to countries which have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

He will also attend a dinner hosted by Australian government where several leading dignitaries, including newly appointed Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, are expected to arrive.

Krishna, who is visiting that country to attend the seventh round of the framework dialogue with his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd, 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.

Apart from discussing ways to further cooperation between the two countries in energy sector and business and trade, Krishna is likely to raise the issue of security of Indians in that country which comprise half-a-million population, the fourth largest immigrant community.

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 minister is also likely to meet Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Krishna would be leaving back on Friday.