Kochi: Australia was concerned over attacks
on Indian students in the country and the government had taken
serious steps to deal with the issue, Australian High
Commissioner to India, Peter N Varghese said on Monday.
"This is a serious bilateral issue. We are concerned over
attacks on international students. They come as our guests. We
have taken several steps at federal government level and state
level," he told reporters here.
Educational institutions which gave misleading
advertisements had been closed, increased policing efforts had
been launched, especially in Melbourne, from where most of the
incidents reported, he said.
"We have made some very large change in migration
policies, not driven by the attacks on students but on broader
issues," he said.
There was recognition on both sides that Australian
government had taken serious steps to deal with the issue.
This has reflected in declining number of attacks, he said.
"We will rebuild educational relationships with India,
provide higher quality of education, encourage more university
students," he said.
PTI
