Australia has no plans to increase troops in Afghanistan: Rudd

Melbourne, Nov 7 (PTI) Australia, which has the largest contingent from among the non-N.A.T.O. countries in Afghanistan, has no plans to increase its troops in the war-torn nation, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Friday.

Rudd, who spoke to U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to congratulate him on his landmark victory in the polls, discussed the challenges of security, climate change and the financial crisis with the American leader.

"The challenges we face are great, they are global challenges, they are regional challenges, but I believe we have a strong partner in the U.S.," Rudd was quoted as saying in a media report.

Rudd said the matter did not come up directly in this morning's conversation. "I'm convinced we're going to have a first-class working relationship. His message of hope for America is equally a message of hope for the entire world," he said.

Australia has the largest contingent from among the non-N.A.T.O. countries in Afghanistan. Rudd said Australia's troop contribution in Afghanistan, where more than 1000 defense personnel are currently serving, would not be bolstered in the near future, according to Sydney Morning Herald report.

"Of the non-N.A.T.O. countries contributing to
Afghanistan at the moment Australia has the largest
contingent, that is a fact," he said, adding "We've got no
plans to increase that (contribution) in the future but of
course we look forward to discussing that in the future."

The prime minister underlined that the challenges
faced by the two countries are common. "When it comes to
climate change, the financial crisis and security, we must
work together," Rudd said PTI