National NEWS
Australia Assures Action against Student Attacks
August 6, 2009 Visionmp.com news service
Australia has assured India of “firm action” against responsible elements behind recent spate of racist attacks on Indian students in response to the concerns shown by Union Minister SM Krishna over the issue to authorities in Sydney.
In the course of his meeting with New South Wales (NSW) Premier Nathan Rees, Krishna was given an assurance that action would be taken against perpetrators of these attacks. Krishna is a five-day visit to Australia.
SM Krishna has said that he was satisfied with the steps taken by authorities to ensure the safety of the students. "Indians by and large are most welcome in Australia," ABC Online quoted him as saying. Krishna said that he does not believe that Australia is a racist nation, adding that he was satisfied with the reassurance he received and will return to India with the premier's message.
Besides, premier assured Krishna of inclusion of the inputs from the Indian community in the action plan for international students.
Rees informed him that a meeting of the task force on the issue was scheduled to be held on Friday.
The External Affairs Minister, who met the Indian community representatives to get first-hand information about the problems faced by them, said that “well being and safety of Indians overseas is a top priority for the government of India.”
The Indian community leaders emphasised that the immediate action by Australian government in every case was necessary and asked Krishna to tell authorities of this country to be more cooperative.
They, however, also admitted during the meeting that Australia was not a racist country.
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