Diplomacy to be tested

Kevin Rudd’s diplomatic skills will be tested during his current short visit to India. Labor’s decision not to endorse a decision by the previous Howard Government to allow uranium exports to India from Australia has clearly caused some resentment The Times of India greeted the Rudd arrival by quoting Indian foreign ministry officials saying “the onus now is solely on Rudd, who speaks Mandarin fluently and is known for his fondness for China, to come up with measures which could build confidence in India and provide impetus to a relationship which could be crucial for building peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.”