Australian High Commissioner to India Patrick Suckling today said his country has taken a firm stand that illegal immigrants cannot settle down there.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy here, the visiting envoy told reporters that the issue was also raised during their talks.
Official sources described the meeting as a courtesy call.
Suckling said Australia and India followed a firm commitment "to stop the evil business of people smuggling".
He said he apprised Rangasamy of the firm policy of Australian Government that people trying to reach the country's shores illegally could never ever settle down in Australia. "This is our country's firm policy", he said.
The Chief Minister assured his cooperation to ensure that the illegal immigration of people does not happen, the High Commissioner said appreciating his gesture.
Australia and India had very positive and strong relations, he said, adding, Canberra would play its part in the initiatives of the Chief Minister to provide better education and agricultural development in the Union Territory.
Rangasamy later told PTI that the territorial administration would spare no steps to have intensive coastal vigilance as part of its initiatives "to prevent people smuggling and illegal immigration from Puducherry".
