Foreign ministers of Australia, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan to visit India

NEW DELHI: India will host foreign ministers of three important countries -- Australia, Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan -- this week.

During his meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid is expected to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in key areas of trade and investment and review of civil nuclear cooperation pact negotiations.

Khurshid and Carr, who is here on a four-day visit, will hold talks on entire gamut of bilateral ties during the 8th India-Australia Framework Dialogue to be held tomorrow, officials said.

"The two ministers are expected to review outcomes of the visit of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in October 2012 and chart the way ahead," an official said.

During Gillard's visit here, India and Australia agreed to launch negotiations on Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.

The bilateral ties have been expanding in several areas, including trade and investment, energy and resources, science and technology, and education, the officials said.

Australia is an important trade partner of India. Trade in goods and services stood at $21 billion in 2011-12.

Education is another important sector with as many as 36,000 Indian students currently studying in Australia. Fifteen Australian universities also offer joint degrees with Indian varsities.

The week will also see a visit by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G L Peiris, who will arrive here tomorrow to co-chair with Khurshid the 8th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting on Tuesday.