The Prime Minister of Australia Ms. Julia Gillard called on the President Shri Pranab Mukherjee this morning and held wide ranging discussions on bilateral and multilateral issues. The discussions covered issues relating to trade and investment, energy, supply of resources for India's economic development, education, and people to people contacts. The two leaders also discussed cooperation in multilateral forums such as G-20 whose summit Australia will host in 2014.

The President congratulated the Prime Minister on the launch of Oz fest in India and described it as a good initiative. He said India is committed to strengthen its strategic partnership with Australia. The President expressed appreciation for Australia's support for India's candidature in an expanded United Nations Security Council and said the two countries should work together in reforming the international financial architecture and equipping institutions like the World Bank with the resources they need.

The Australian Prime Minister informed the President that she was gifting two saplings of Wollemi Pine for the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This tree was discovered in Australia in 1994 and its origins date back to time when the Dinosaurs roamed the earth. She expressed the hope they will flourish in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

This release issued at 1530 hrs