Aus to provide security to Indian students, says delegation

CHANDIGARH: Amid rising concern about the safety of Indians in Australia, a delegation from that country today assured the Punjab government of providing security to students Down Under.

During a meeting with state education minister Upinderjit Kaur, a four-member delegation led by Victoria's Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation Jacinta Allan said the Australian government had ordered a probe into the incidents of racial attacks and is taking steps to ensure security to Indian students.

Allan said the government has deployed 1,700 police officials at key places to contain such attacks.

Forty per cent of students studying in Victoria come from Punjab, she said.

Victoria government has also launched various programmes which gives overseas students an opportunity to team up with local students to help them settle in the foreign nation, a press release said.

The delegation, which is on a ten-day visit to India, also said the Victorian government is making "major changes to ensure overseas students' safety", it said.