Canberra, Nov 9 - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will visit India this week in a bid to forge stronger relations between the two countries, media reports said Monday.

The prime minister's two-day visit to Mumbai and New Delhi, beginning Wednesday, will give the federal government another opportunity to reassure India that its student population is welcome in Australia, news. com. au reported.

This will be his first visit to India after two previous trips were cancelled.

Rudd is the seniormost member of the government to visit India after an outcry in May and June over the treatment of Indian students in Australia.

Rudd will meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday and also attend a cricket match in Mumbai, where he is scheduled to meet many Indian business leaders, Xinhua reported. (IANS)