Australian PM visits India to improve ties

MENDING TIES: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday.

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New Delhi: As Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd landed in Mumbai, India on Wednesday conveyed its concerns over recent attacks on Indian students in that country and stressed the need for Canberra to take "effective steps" to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

He flies to Delhi from Mumbai after meeting top business leaders there. Rudd will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday on a range of bilateral and global issues, including the global financial crisis, climate change, energy, terrorism, maritime security, trade and investment.

The attack on Indian students will figure prominently in the discussions. Rudd is expected to allay Indian concerns in a speech at the Indian Council for World Affairs here on India-Australia relations.

"India attaches highest importance to the safety and security of students of Indian origin in Australia. It's a matter of concern," external affairs ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash told reporters here.

"We have conveyed our concerns at the highest level. Unfortunately, the attacks have recurred in the last week," he said. "It's important that the means are effective to ensure the security and safety of Indian students."

"The Australian side has assured us that they follow a policy of zero tolerance towards such incidents," he said. There have been over 30 attacks on Indians in Australia since May this year.

Another attack on a 22-year-old Indian student in Melbourne on Sunday by a group of Australians has put the spotlight back on an issue that has caused the Australian leadership to embark on a massive damage control exercise.

The creation of a free trade area and enhanced cooperation in the area of maritime security will also be on the table during discussions between the two leaders.

Buoyed by bilateral civil nuclear deals with five countries, the Indian side is expected to renew its pitch for the purchase of uranium from Australia. However, no tangible movement in this area is expected as Canberra has made it clear that it does not sell uranium to countries which have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Australia supported the resumption of global nuclear trade with India in the International Atomic Energy Agency and the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group last year. India is hoping it will be among the first countries to get Australian uranium after Canberra revises its domestic policy.

Energy cooperation has emerged as an important sector of cooperation between the two countries. The focus will be on clean coal technologies and renewable technologies, sources said.

The two countries signed a contract for the supply of 1.5 million tonnes of Australian LNG annually to India for the next 20 years in August.