Australia assures safety of Indian students, says Krishna

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 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - John Brumby, the premier of Australian state of Victoria, Friday proposed to give separate transportation and safe housing for Indian students studying in Australia. Union Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, after a meeting with a nine-member delegation led by Brumby, said: "It is a proposal by the Australian government.

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 10th, 2009 MELBOURNE - External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Monday asked the Australian Government to regulate the country's "dubious" private colleges, which are destroying the future of Indian students. "I think they (vocational colleges) are not only bringing a bad name to Australia but they are destroying the future of the younger generation of Indian students," The Australian quoted Krishna, as saying.

August 10th, 2009 MELBOURNE/INDORE - Two more Indian students were separately assaulted by a group of men in Australia. Gaurav Kakkar, a student of a hairdressing course, was attacked by a group of men on Friday when he was talking to his family in Punjab's Ferozpur from a local telephone booth.

August 9th, 2009 MELBOURNE - External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Sunday visited Sunshine train station in Melbourne, where several Indian students were targeted by mobs a couple of months ago. Krishna was briefed by a senior police officer about the extra security measurements taken at the station.

August 7th, 2009 CAIRNS - External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Friday met his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith in Cairns, and discussed issues related to safety and security of Indian students in Australia. Following the meeting, the two ministers held a news conference where Krishna expressed satisfaction at the level of assurances that have been offered by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.

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.

July 22nd, 2009 PHUKET - Ahead of Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna's visit to Australia Aug 5, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith Wednesday assured him that his government was doing everything possible to ensure the safety of nearly 100,000 Indian students in that country.

June 4th, 2009 MELBOURNE - With China expressing concern for the safety of Chinese students studying in Australia, the embattled A$15.5 billion overseas student industry down under is bracing for rough times. The Australian government and university managements are already in damage control over a series of violent attacks on Indian students in various metropolitan centres.

May 30th, 2009 CANBERRA - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has reassured his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh that his government will take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian students in Australia. Diplomatic relations between the two countries are said to be tense after India expressed anger and dismay over attacks on Indian students in Australia.

May 28th, 2009 CANBERRA/NEW DELHI - The Australian Government on Thursday said that it will take steps to book the persons responsible for the attack on Indian students in Victoria, and added that it would take all steps required to ensure the Indian student community's safety in the country. Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Julia Gillard issued a statement in Australian Parliament in which she said: "I want to send a message loud and clear that international students are very welcome in this nation and Australia will not tolerate discrimination against or victimisation of any of our international students." She also announced a new initiative: A roundtable of international student representatives to discuss with Government issues affecting their study experience.

May 28th, 2009 MELBOURNE/NEW DELHI - A series of attacks on Indian students in Australia - one of which left a student battling for life - has led to outrage in India and an assurance of safety by the Australian government. Two teenagers were arrested Thursday for badly beating an Indian student on a train.

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.