We will not tolerate attack on Indian students: Australian minister
December 4th, 2009 - 9:38 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Dec 4 (IANS) Terming the attacks on Indian students in Australia as “opportunistic, not racist”, Michael O’Brien, a senior minister in the South Australia state government, Friday said his country will not tolerate these attacks.
“We are taking all necessary steps to curb these attacks which are opportunistic in nature. We don’t see them as racist attacks. They are criminal acts, acts of theft. But it seems, the sentiment here is not the same,” said O’Brien, the minister for employment, training and further education.
“We are here to assure that we are very tolerant society. Indian students in Australia are culturally enriching for us. We will not tolerate attacks on Indians students,” he said after a meeting with Overseas Indian Affairs Minister V. Ravi here.
The Australian minister said that it is very clear that parents in India are very concerned. “We are assuring that we will look after them and they are welcome in our country,” O’Brien added.
Ravi said: “The minister and I discussed several issues related to education and science. He has assured me that his government is taking step by step to ensure Indian students’ safety.”
Dozens of Indian students have been attacked in Australia throughout this year, making India react strongly. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took up the issue with his Australian counterpart. The soaring sentiment in India, forced many Aussie authorities, including its prime minister, to tour India, to assure parents about the safety of their wards down under.
- Australia invites Indian universities to open branches - Dec 05, 2009
- Rebuilding Indian students' faith post-Oz attacks: Varghese - Feb 16, 2011
- India urges Australia for action on attacks Down Under (Third Lead) - Mar 04, 2010
- 103 Indians died in Australian attacks: Vayalar Ravi - Aug 03, 2011
- India presses Australia for 'effective action' against attacks (Second Lead) - Mar 03, 2010
- Racist attacks intolerable to Australia, says Smith - Mar 04, 2010
- India, Australia negotiating social security agreement - Mar 04, 2010
- Indian envoy called to discuss Australia attacks - Feb 03, 2010
- Attacks on Indians in Australia inexcusable: Foreign Minister Smith - Feb 09, 2010
- Australia admits some attacks on Indians were racist (Lead) - Mar 03, 2010
- Worried India summons Australian envoy over attacks on Indian students (Roundup) - May 29, 2009
- India, Australia to talk students' safety, Games security (Second Lead) - Mar 02, 2010
- Attacks on Indian students will not be tolerated: Rudd (Lead) - Nov 12, 2009
- Australia condemns Indian cartoon on racist attacks row - Jan 08, 2010
- India asks Australia to take stern action against attackers - Jan 10, 2010
Tags: australian minister, counterpart, criminal acts, employment training, further education, indian affairs minister, indian students, manmohan, manmohan singh, michael o brien, necessary steps, prime minister manmohan, prime minister manmohan singh, racist attacks, senior minister, sentiment, south australia state, state government, tolerant society, wards