New Delhi: In a strong message, Overseas
Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi on Monday asked Australia to
take "all possible steps" to contain assaults on Indians
there, saying it was their "primary responsibility".
Ravi said Australia will have to convince the Indian
government and the people of this country about steps taken to
protect Indian citizens.
"Australia needs to take all possible steps to ensure
security of our citizens. They need to convince not only the
government but also the people of the country about steps
taken to ensure safety of our citizens," Ravi said.
Expressing serious concern about the recent attacks,
including killing of 21-year-old student Nitin Garg a week
ago, Ravi said "for India, every life of its citizen is
precious".
"We need preventive steps. Why cannot they identify the
anti-social elements responsible for the assaults and arrest
them. Police know these elements," he said.
"We want them to take certain strong action. I am not
saying they are not taking action. But they need to take
strong action," Ravi added.
Wondering why the Australian government has not been able
to contain the attacks, the Minister said "it is their primary
obligation to ensure safety of the foreigners. We take all the
care to protect foreign nationals here".
"This is not the first time these incidents are taking
place. These attacks are taking place for the last one year.
What they are doing to contain them," he asked.
PTI
First Published: Monday, January 11, 2010, 21:36