Rudd assures Krishna on safety of Indian students

Natasha Chaku

Cairns, Aug 7 (PTI) Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
Friday assured External Affairs Minister S M Krishna that all
steps would be taken to ensure safety and security of Indian
students as they discussed the issues in the backdrop of
recent attacks.

After the 20-minutes-long close door meeting, Krishna
expressed his satisfaction at the steps taken by the
Australian government to stop attacks on Indian students.

"I am satisfied with the assurances give to me by
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd," Krishna told PTI after
emerging from the meeting.

"Prime Minister Rudd is fully aware of the sensitivity of
the issues concerning students. He informed about the remedial
measures already taken by the government. I am satisfied that
Australian government at Federal and state levels are fully
geared to meet the situation," he said.

Krishna said that "Rudd described India as emerging power
and I am convinced that Indian students coming here will be
safe and taken care off."

Australian PM also told Krishna that Indian students were
welcome in his country.

Apart from student's issue, Krishna and Rudd discussed a
range of bilateral issues including trade. Issues pertaining
to terrorism were also discussed, however, talks on export of
uranium did not figure in the meeting.

No discussions took place on the issue of uranium sale to
India, Krishna said.

"No uranium talks were raised or discussed during the
meet," Krishna said as he met the Australian premier and the
Foreign Minister on the sidelines of Pacific Island Forum.

He said that the discussions were also held on how to
expand bilateral relationship between the two sides.

"We discussed expansion of bilateral relationship in the
field of investment and energy. We want Australia to look into
our energy needs - natural gas, non-renewable and renewable
energy, coal and the technologies they have. We want to have
their technologies," he said.

Krishna also met his counterpart Australian counterpart
Stephen Smith later at a luncheon meet and also hold a joint
press conference.

"We have discussed bilateral issues in greater details,"
Krishna said.

The minister will be leaving Saturday for Melbourne where
he will meet Indian community members and students.

On Sunday, Krishna will also take a look of western
suburb in Melbourne that have been reporting high crime rate.
He will also be briefed on demonstration of a recently
installed CCTV van at a local station.

Krishna will also meet the alleged racism victim Shravan
Kumar at a Rehabilitation centre.

Meanwhile, 'The Age' newspaper Friday reported that
Krishna also sought extra police to patrol the "troubled
areas" of Sydney where a pattern of anti-Indian violence
exists.

Krishna made the call after meeting Indian students in
Sydney thursday apart from meetings with New South Wales
Premier Nathan Rees and senior police officials including
Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens, the paper said.

The minister said authorities had to ensure the safety of
overseas students in troubled areas by maintaining enhanced
police presence.

He was told by police that patrols had been increased at
Harris Park and several other suburbs since the first report
of violence against students two months ago.

Several other issues were raised, including better
lighting of areas where attacks were common and a permanent
involvement by police in student orientation and community
activities.

Krishna said tougher regulations were needed in Australia
and India to prevent the misery being experienced by the
students Down Under.

"Unfortunately, there are a number of dubious educational
institutions encouraging students to take out big loans to
finance their education. There is inadequate information to
support students when they are given promises by unscrupulous
education and immigration agents," he said. PTI NC
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