Oz says attacks on Indians affected ties with India

Natasha Chaku
Melbourne, Feb 11 (PTI) Concerned over its falling
reputation in the wake of a spate of attacks on Indian
students, Australia on Thursday acknowledged that there has
been a "negative shift" in its ties with India.
Dennis Richardson, the head of the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (DFAT), said the relationship between
Australia and India has been damaged by the attacks on Indian
nationals in recent months, the AAP reported.
"There has been a shift and that shift has been
negative," he told a Senate hearing. "There has been damage to
our reputation and standing."
Richardson said his Department was trying to counter that
by bringing Indian "opinion leaders" to Australia to gauge the
atmosphere of the country.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith had said that
"we needed to treat the relationship like a Test match
and work with diligence, dedication, application and
perseverance day in and day out to extend the partnership."
The report said the crisis was being dealt with at the
highest levels of government, as the inquiry hearing
Richardson and National Security Adviser Duncan Lewis had met
Helen Silver from the Victorian Department of Premier and
Cabinet.
But that was only once and meetings had since become
telephone hook-ups, Richardson said. PTI NC
AHM