PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 25 SEPTEMBER 1986
I am pleas~ d to announce that the Prime Minister of India,
Mr Rajiv Gandhi, has accepted an invitation to visit Australia
from 14 to 16 October as a guest of the Government.
I welcome O1r Gandhi's visit and, in particular, look forward to
discussing with him international political and economic issues
of mutual concern, including the very important issue of the
situation in southern Africa on which we have worked closely
together in the Commonwealth context.
Australia and India share many common values and traditional
connections, especially as members of the Commonwealth and as
littoral states of the Indian ocean, and I look forward to our
two countrieG working together more closely in the future in the
region. India plays an important role in international affairs,
and is a major force in maintaining the stability of the Asian
region. As the world's largest democracy, it is influential in
promoting the ideals shared by all societies committed to the
pursuit of freedom and peace. Mr Gandhi's visit will reinforce
the friendly relations between our two countries and also help to
give more substance to the bilateral relationship, including in
the economic area.
in Canberra, Mr Gandhi will hold official discussions with myself
and senior Cabinet Ministers, meet the Governor-General, and
address the National Press Club.
He will also visit Sydney where he will1 be talking to senior
Australian business and trade union representatives under the
auspices of EPAC, and meet with the New South Wales Government,
and the Indian community.