Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today 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 said 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.
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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 tomorrow 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 today 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 yesterday 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.