Dushanbe: In view of a large Indian student community's presence in Eurasia, India on Tuesday asked its top envoys in the region to be sensitive to their needs and always be available to help these youths, who are relatively "vulnerable" and lack experience, finances and other support.
Addressing a conference in the Tajik capital of Indian Heads of Missions of 11 countries in the region, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna underlined the importance of engagement with the Indian community and effectively redressing their grievances.
"Though the Indian community is comparatively thin but there is a large student community present here. They are relatively vulnerable and lack experience, finances and other support. We must be sensitive to their needs and always be available to help them," he said.
"We have learnt from our experience in Australia that such measures go a long way in timely detection of problems and also in evolving suitable remedies. I would like you all to enforce this measure immediately, if not yet done so," the minister, who is here on a two-day visit, told the envoys.
Krishna's remarks came against the backdrop of attacks on Indian students in Australia, which has dented that country's image as a safe destination for foreign students.
He said the number of Indian students in Australia has sharply come down to 50,000 from 93,000 in 2009 when he had assumed charge as External Affairs Minister.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, July 03, 2012, 13:28