Krishna asks Indian students in Australia to show restraint

Concerned over reports of some Indian students in Australia retaliating in the wake of spate of attacks on them, Government today asked them to exercise restraint.

"I would like to urge the Indian students to be patient and show restraint. They have gone there (Australia) for higher studies. They should concentrate on that rather than retaliate," External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told reporters outside Parliament House today.

He said the Australian government has given "fullest assurance" that steps will be taken to ensure the safety of Indian students.

A 20-year-old man was stabbed in Melbourne yesterday after he had allegedly racially abused a group of Indian students here in possibly the first act of retaliation.

According to reports, Indian students had formed groups to patrol troubled areas in Melbourne to prevent racial attacks on the community members. They were asked by the Australian police to stop the practise and let them do their jobs.

Asked if there was any reduction in the number of staff members in the Indian embassy in Australia due to cost cutting, Krishna said the government will examine the issue.

On the issue of US advice to Pakistan to rein in Taliban, Krishna evaded a direct reply, saying, "It is an internal matter of Pakistan."

Asked about reports of Indians stranded in the Mansarovar lake area, Krishna said if the issue was brought to the notice of the Indian government it would take necessary steps.