Racial attacks unacceptable: Australia

New Delhi, Sep 24 (PTI) Acknowledging that the spate of
attacks on Indians has affected its image here, Australia
Thursday said racial attacks were unacceptable to it and steps
are being taken to prevent such crimes.
Newly appointed Australian High Commissioner Peter
Varghese said his country was keen on enhancing ties with
India in trade, defence and energy sector to the next level.
The Indian origin diplomat, who presented his credentials
to President of India Pratibha Patil, said interests of both
countries are "increasingly converging" and Australia was
committed to taking its relationship to the "forefront of our
bilateral partnerships".
Meanwhile, Premier of Australia's Victoria province
John Brumby who has arrived here on a seven-day visit, tried
to allay fears of Indian students wanting to study there,
saying all necessary steps are being taken to prevent such
crimes.
"I have made it absolutely clear that any crime,
particularly any racially biased crime, is completely,
completely unacceptable to me," he said.
Speaking at a function here, he also outlined the
Government's recent actions to improve the security for
international students in Victoria, which witnessed maximum
number of attacks on Indian students.
"I take very seriously the trust that Indian parents place
in our state when they agree to their sons and daughters
coming to Victoria to study. That's why we are taking a range
of actions to improve the experience of Victoria for
international students," Brumby said.

He said that Friday he would announce a new round of
scholarships specifically for Indian students wishing to study
in Victoria, as part of the Victorian Government’s Thinking
Global international education strategy.
Brumby said a new international students' care facility is
being started so that international students can obtain
support and assistance 24 hours a day.
Asked about the spate of attacks on Indians, Varghese
admitted that "broad image of Australia in India has been
affected by the media coverage of the Attucks."
On India's concern on attacks on its students, he said his
Government has a "zero tolerance" policy against any form of
violence and that Government was doing everything possible to
protect the students.
Seeking deeper bilateral ties with India, he said
Australia wants to further enhance maritime cooperation with
India besides strengthening cooperation in other spheres of
security related matters.
"Already we have a relationship of substance. Now we want
to take it to the next level," the Indian Origin diplomat
said.
He said Australia supports India's bid to become a
permanent member of the UN Security Council and the position
New Delhi has taken on the WTO trade negotiations.
Varghese also supported the Indian position in seeking
reform of the international financial institutions including
the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. PTI MPB
SDE