India invites Aus to invest in skill development programme

NEW DELHI: India today invited Australian investments in its skill development programme which would see about 50 crore people being trained in the next five years.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment Harish Rawat sought Australia's support in its mission when the visiting Skills and Workforce Participation Minister of the Australian state of Victoria Jacinta Allan called on him here.

Allan also evinced keen interest in the modular employable skills programme of the labour ministry, ministry sources said.

Victoria, incidentally, has been witness to a large number of abuses against Indians, which has triggered widespread resentment in India.

Sources said Rawat raised the issue of racial attacks with the Minister to which she is understood to have reiterated Australia's commitment to contain such incidents and develop an atmosphere of friendship and amity with India.

Such incidents, she said, are "unusual" in the country, the sources said.

Allan, who is also the Regional & Rural Development Minister of Victoria, said her Government will work with India on different issues of mutual interest.