I will travel to India from 5 to 8 March, visiting New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
This visit will be an important opportunity to advance Australia's foreign and trade policy interests with a country of key and growing importance to Australia. I will be accompanied by a high-level delegation of business representatives with interests in India, whose presence demonstrates the importance Australia places on deepening commercial linkages with India.
While in India I will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and participate in Cabinet talks with Indian ministers representing portfolios of key interest to Australia. I will also call on the President of India and meet other leading Indian political figures, including Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi. During my visit it is anticipated that a number of agreements will be signed in various fields including trade, defence, science and air services.
India is an increasingly influential global and regional player whose interests converge with Australia's. We work together constructively on key international issues - most recently on the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate and at the East Asia Summit - and the discussions I will have while in India will add impetus to our growing strategic relationship.
In recent years India has embarked upon a path of reform, transforming itself into a dynamic and vibrant economy. In 2005, two-way trade between Australia and India in goods and services reached $9.4 billion. My visit will be a timely opportunity to encourage further expansion in our already productive relationship.