Australia assures Krishna of taking a number of measures to protect Indian students

New Delhi, Aug 11 (ANI): Australian has assured External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna during his recent visit to that country of taking a number of measures to ensure the safety of Indian students studying there.

The issue of racial attacks on Indian students dominated Krishna's visit, which has just concluded.

Krishna visit to Down Under can be termed successful as Australian authorities have assured India about the safety of Indian students studying there and have a taken number of measures to check the violence against them.

The measures assured by the authorities to ensure safety of Indian students include: Better policing and lighting of secluded areas, close circuit television surveillance at vulnerable areas, 24-7 student call centers at Melbourne, introduction of mobile surveillance vans and audit of private Australian institutions.

In Australia, Krishna met cross section of people as well as federal leaders including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Krishna shared with Rudd and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith Indian Government's deep concerns about the safety and security of Indian students in Australia.

He impressed upon Australian authorities that measures need to be put into place, to address legitimate grievances of Indian students so that they get a good quality educational experience.

The Indian Foreign Minister also discussed student's safety with the police chiefs of Melbourne and Sydney, the key academic centers where maximum violence against Indian students have been reported.

Victoria Premier John Brumby has also assured the Indian Foreign Minister that he will be increasing the strength of police personnel for keeping vigilance. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)