Ahead of Krishna’s visit, Australia assures safety of Indian students

October 13th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Foreign students, including Indians rate Australia as the safest place to study, but rank it third for education system prestige. IDP Education, one of Australia's biggest international student recruitment companies, conducted the survey of more than 6000 students from eight countries from September 12 to October 6.

October 11th, 2009 LONDON - Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has become the latest Australian politician to downplay the recent racial attacks on Indian students in Australia. Bligh said Queensland had an "excellent track record" in providing international students with a safe environment.

September 29th, 2009 CHANDIGARH - A high-level delegation from Australia's Victoria state met Punjab ministers here Tuesday and assured them of the safety of Indian students, many of whom have faced violent attacks in Down Under in recent months. Punjab is an important place for us as more than 50 percent of Indian students studying in Australia are from this state.

August 31st, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Australian government would ensure that student victims of racist attacks either get a seat in a different college or are refunded the entire college fee, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said here Monday. Gillard, who is on a five-day visit to India, was interacting with students of the Lady Shri Ram College.

August 7th, 2009 Chaku Cairns (Australia): Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Friday assured, the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna that all steps would be taken to ensure the safety and security of Indian students in his country.

August 6th, 2009 SYDNEY - External Affairs minister S.M.Krishna on Thursday conveyed New Delhi's concerns to Australian authorities over the recent attacks on Indian students. Krishna received assurance of a firm action against all perpetrators of attacks on Indian students during his meet with New South Wales (NSW) Premier Nathan Rees.

August 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Ahead of External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna's visit to Australia, India has said it was concerned about attacks on Indian students but does want the issue to "infect" growing relations between the two countries.

July 31st, 2009 NEW DELHI - External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna goes to Australia on a five-day visit Aug 6 to ascertain first-hand the problems faced by Indian students, some of whom have been victims of allegedly racist attacks, and the steps taken by Canberra to ensure their safety.

July 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - With attacks on Indian students creating widespread concern in India, Australia Monday underlined its policy of zero tolerance for racism and announced a slew of steps, including review of a legislation, to ensure the safety of international students. A nine-member Australian delegation is on an eight-city tour of the country in a damage control exercise aimed at cushioning its lucrative education industry from the ripple effects of negative publicity due to the attacks on Indian students.

July 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Against the backdrop of continuing attacks on Indian students in Australia, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Wednesday announced he would be travelling to that country on a bilateral visit soon.

June 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy says every possible effort will be made to ensure that attacks on Indian students in Australia are not repeated, adding that the authorities will "pursue those responsible" for the assaults. In a letter to the Non-Aligned Students and Youth Movement (NASYM) that had staged a demonstration here June 18 against the attacks on Indian students in Australia, McCarthy said: "The Australian government will make every effort to ensure that attacks are not repeated and that Australia remains a preferred destination for students from around the world." He said that the Australian government is working closely with the Indian government on the issue.

June 4th, 2009 GANDHINAGAR - Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has suggested that Australian High Commission officials in New Delhi should talk to the worried parents to reassure the safety of their wards in that country in the wake of alleged racist attacks on Indian students there. In a letter addressed to External Affairs Minister S.M.

June 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Amid concerns over safety of Indian students in Australia after a series of racist attacks on some of them, an Australian university has fielded cricketer Brett Lee, who is very popular in India, to assure the Indian student community of a safe and secure environment to study in his country. Faced with the outcry in India over attacks on Indian students in Australia, Australian universities are working overtime to give assurances students and their parents.

June 1st, 2009 GANDHINAGAR - Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Monday said students from the state studying in Australia are free to contact him if they faced any danger. "The chief minister is worried about the safety of the students from Gujarat studying in Australia after the racial attacks on some students of Indian origin last week.

May 28th, 2009 MELBOURNE - In the wake of the attacks on Indian students in the country, an Australian police officer is to travel to India to brief prospective students on avoiding street violence in Australia, media reports said. Police community liaison officer Senior Constable Victor Robb said that his advice would mainly cover "safety strategy tips", Radio Australia reported Thursday.