'Australia should take action to prevent attacks on Indians'

NEW DELHI: The Australian government should take "strict action" to prevent unabated attacks on Indians, which are hurting the image of that country, Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said today.

"These attacks are condemnable and the government there should see that such incidents do not happen," she told reporters here after flagging off a special Hazrat Nizamuddin- Thiruvanathapuram 'Go Kerala' Rajdhani Express.

"Due to such kind of incidents, the image of a country changes. Australia and India have very good ties but such attacks raise questions in the minds of people. The government should take strict action to prevent such incidents so that everybody feels secure there," she said.

When asked about reports that Indian students are coming back to the country from Australia, the Minister said, "We want the government to take effective steps for safety of tourists, students or others".

To a question whether special safety measures should be taken for Australian visitors during the coming Commonwealth Games, Selja said the government always takes steps to ensure security for tourists.

"We always discuss the issue with states and say that safety measures should be taken for any foreign tourist or domestic travellers going from one part of the country to another. The inter-state regional conference of tourism ministers of southern states yesterday also discussed the issue. We will take the necessary steps," she said.

About Shiv Sena threat not to allow Australian cricketers in IPL to play in Mumbai, the minister said, "The Sena issues such statements from time to time. They do not have a positive attitude. They do not work to integrate the country."