Aussie PM Kevin Rudd Visit India

Australian PM Kevin Rudd on Wednesday on a surprise visit to his country's troops in Afghanistan.The Afghan president's office said Australia has about 1,550 troops in Afghanistan--the largest contribution of any country outside NATO, mainly focused on training an Afghan National Army brigade in the southern province of Uruzgan.Eleven Australian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion, the most recent in July.Opinion polls have consistently shown that the war is unpopular among many Australians. Rudd, who ousted conservative leader John Howard in 2007 elections, fulfilled a campaign promise to pull Australia's troops out of Iraq but has consistently said Australia will keep troops in Afghanistan until the threat of terrorism spreading from the country is ended. Karzai's office did not give any details of Rudd's location or how long he was expected to stay for security reasons.Australian Defense Minister John Faulkner said last month that he didn't want to see his country's troops stay in Afghanistan a day longer than was necessary, although he had no plans to draw down the troop strength.Faulkner said Australian troops were focused on training an Afghan National Army brigade ``so they can take the responsibility for security in the province.' Australian Prime Minister, Mr Kevin Rudd, is on visit India on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 November 2009, his first visit to India as Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s travel to India follows the recent visits by the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, Julia Gillard, and Australia’s ministers for Immigration and Citizenship, Trade, Foreign Affairs and the Australian Treasurer. Together these visits demonstrate the first order priority Australia is giving to the relationship with India. Mr Rudd will visit India for meetings with business and political leaders. His discussions will cover the full breadth of the fast growing Australia-India relationship including strategic affairs; our shared multilateral priorities; energy and climate change; sport; high-end science, technology and education collaboration; and the fast growing economic and trade partnership. Mr Rudd will give two major addresses (on strategic affairs and the business relationship) during the visit.Mr Rudd will meet Prime Minister Singh in New Delhi and will announce a series of important initiatives that will take the Australia-India relationship to the front rank of Australia’s international partnerships. Prime Minister’s Kevin Rudd visit had been planned for January 2009 but was delayed due to Dr Singh’s health and the Indian elections. During the PM Kevin Rudd visit the topic slated are 'Racial attacks on Indian students in Australia , maritime security and cooperation in the field of energy are expected to be high on the agenda of talks the Australian Prime Minister Mr Kevin Rudd will have with Indian leaders during his two day visit to New Delhi beginning today . Trade and economic ties including the proposed Free Trade Area are also likely to be on the table. Mr Kevin who arrived in the capital this evening will also have a wide range of discussions on bilateral , regional and global issues with the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in the evening .Briefing media on the visit External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said that India attaches highest importance to the safety of Indians living in Australia . Our correspondent says a number of important initiatives to take forward the relationshiop between the two countries are also expected to be announced.