Sunday, March 5 2006 11:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Australian Prime Minister John Howard will arrive here today (Mar 05 2006) on a four-day visit during which the two countries are expected to sign a number of agreements, including in the fields of defence, trade, science and air services.

Undertaking his second visit here in six years to further strengthen bilateral trade and strategic relations, Howard will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Accompanied by a 20-member strong trade delegation, including leaders from some of Australia's top companies, Howard will interact with India's business leaders besides calling on President A P J Abdul Kalam and meeting UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition L K Advani.

Ahead of his visit, Howard said "India is an increasingly influential global and regional player whose interests converge with Australia's. The discussions I will have while in India will add impetus to our growing strategic relationship," he said in a statement.

His visit follows the high-profile three-day trip to India by US President George W Bush, which was marked by the signing of the historic Indo-US civil nuclear pact.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer welcomed the Indo-US nuclear deal but ruled out lifting a ban on uranium exports to India since it is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT).