New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) Amid the shadow of repeated attacks on Indian students in his country, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will hold talks with Indian leaders Thursday aimed at boosting economic and strategic ties between the two countries.
Rudd will begin his two-day whistlestop tour to India from its financial hub Mumbai Wednesday, his first visit to the rising Asian power since becoming prime minister last year.

He will be watching the India-Australia one-day international match Wednesday evening and is expected to interact with top Indian business leaders in Mumbai.

Rudd will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday on a range of bilateral and global issues, including the global financial crisis, climate change, terrorism, trade and investment.

The creation of a free trade area and enhanced cooperation in the area of maritime security will also be on the table during discussions between the two leaders.

With Australia hogging the headlines in India for the allegedly racist targeting of Indian students Down Under, Rudd is expected to allay Indian concerns in a speech at the Indian Council for World Affairs on India-Australia relations.

There have been over 30 attacks on Indians in Australia since May this year.

Buoyed by bilateral civil nuclear deals with five countries, the Indian side is expected to renew its pitch for the purchase of uranium from Australia. However, no tangible movement in this area is expected as Canberra has made it clear that it does not sell uranium to countries which have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

“The two will announce a series of important initiatives that will take the Australia-India relationship to the front rank of Australia’s international partnerships,” the Australian high commission here said in a statement Wednesday.