Recession in West, Australia reaches out to India

NEW DELHI: With recession hitting the US and Europe, Australia today reached out to India, discussing ways to deal with the international crisis through cooperative approaches in the Asia-Pacific region.

Recognising that India would be a key economic player in the future, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd sent his special envoy Richard A Woolcott here to hold discussions with Indian leaders.

Woolcott held talks with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the current crisis and the way forward through cooperation.

He later told reporters that his discussions with Mukherjee were in the context of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Contending that there was a shift in economic activity from US and Europe to Asia-Pacific region and in particular countries like India and China, he said "it is important to look ahead and consider what issues might arise in next ten years or so."

The discussions assume significance as these came just a week ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Peru.