Oz assures Krishna of protecting every Indian student

Natasha Chaku

Cairns, Aug 7 (PTI) Union External Affairs Minister S M
Krishna on Friday received assurances at the highest levels in
the Australian government that every Indian student in this
country would be protected.

"I am convinced of the assurances provided by the
Australian side," he told a press conference after discussions
with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his counterpart Stephen
Smith on the sidelines of the Pacific Island Forum in this
northern Australian city.

Krishna, who is on a five-day visit to Australia, said he
has come here to get the assurances at the highest levels
so that every Indian student's welfare is protected by the
government of Australia.

"I am glad to say Prime Minister Rudd and Foreign
Minister Smith have both assured me that the process is well
under way to look into all the issues and put measures into
place to resolve them," said the minister, the first senior
leader to visit Australia to convey India's concerns on the
student issue.

At least 22 Indian students have been attacked in this
country in the past three months, which has threatened
Australia's USD 13-billion international education industry.
Australia is home to over 95,000 Indian students.

"The relationship between the two sides had matured and
such small irritants which have taken place in the last three
months will not upset it," Krishna said.

The External Affairs Minister said India was "deeply
concerned" about the safety and security of its students in
Australia.

"Any problem faced by them causes great concern not only
amongst the wider Indian community in Australia but also back
home in India," he said.

Krishna said recent measures undertaken and further
proposed to be undertaken by Australia, both at the federal as
well as the state levels, to address these concerns have been
useful.

It is important to ensure that the proposed measures are
followed through and result in "a qualitatively improved
experience on the ground for our students in Australia," he
said while insisting that Indian students must receive good
education and that he had no doubt Australia would ensure it.

On the bilateral ties, Krishna said the two sides have
agreed to work towards taking their relationship to the level
of strategic partnership. "Our relationship already
encompasses diverse areas that can act as building blocks for
such a partnership."

Australian Foreign Minister Smith said that Canberra
wanted to take the relations with India to the frontline.

"We spoke (about) all the aspects of bilateral issues
during our meeting today," he said.

On the student issue, Smith said Australia continues to
be a safe and secure destination for overseas students.
"We also spoke about some emerging issues including quality of
education," he added. PTI NC
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