Can't assure end to race attacks: Australian PM
Visiting Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd said he had been “deeply disturbed and disgusted ” by attacks on Indian students but refused to guarantee that such attacks wouldn’t recur.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: Visiting Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd said he had been ���deeply disturbed and disgusted ��� by attacks on Indian students but refused to guarantee that such attacks wouldn���t recur. He said no nation could give such a guarantee but asserted that his government had ���zero tolerance��� for such attacks.
���They have been criminal attacks targeting Indian students for the little money they earn to support their studies,��� Rudd said, adding that they will be dealt with by the full force of the Australian law enforcement and criminal justice system.
The issue of continuing attacks on Indian students over the last six months came up during a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rudd here.
���I have conveyed my concern to Prime Minister Rudd over the safety, security and the well-being of our students in Australia,��� Singh said in his remarks in the presence of Rudd after their meeting in Hyderabad House.
According to Singh, Rudd assured him that Australia is fully committed to their security and would take all steps in this regard.
������ The Australian government is committed to doing its utmost to guarantee that the sons and daughters Indian parents entrust to the care of the Australian community remain safe and come home with a valuable education and wonderful memories,������ said Rudd.
������ In fact the reverse is true. Australia was an active supporter in the Nuclear Suppliers Group of lifting the nuclear moratorium against India following the US-India nuclear deal. This reflected Australia���s appreciation of India���s non-proliferation record,������ he said, while acknowledging that his government understands that India looks to the day when its ambitious civil nuclear energy programme can include Australian uranium.
���As prime minister of Australia, my objective is to build a comprehensive , enduring strategic partnership between Australia and India that will not result in yet another false dawn,��� he said.
Noting that India was emerging as a ���significant global power��� , Rudd strongly backed its participation in key regional fora like the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum and APEC.
���They have been criminal attacks targeting Indian students for the little money they earn to support their studies,��� Rudd said, adding that they will be dealt with by the full force of the Australian law enforcement and criminal justice system.
The issue of continuing attacks on Indian students over the last six months came up during a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rudd here.
���I have conveyed my concern to Prime Minister Rudd over the safety, security and the well-being of our students in Australia,��� Singh said in his remarks in the presence of Rudd after their meeting in Hyderabad House.
According to Singh, Rudd assured him that Australia is fully committed to their security and would take all steps in this regard.
������ The Australian government is committed to doing its utmost to guarantee that the sons and daughters Indian parents entrust to the care of the Australian community remain safe and come home with a valuable education and wonderful memories,������ said Rudd.
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On the Labour government���s decision to not export uranium to India , Rudd said that this was not a policy directed at India and that Canberra has not sought to isolate India on critical nuclear policy concerns.������ In fact the reverse is true. Australia was an active supporter in the Nuclear Suppliers Group of lifting the nuclear moratorium against India following the US-India nuclear deal. This reflected Australia���s appreciation of India���s non-proliferation record,������ he said, while acknowledging that his government understands that India looks to the day when its ambitious civil nuclear energy programme can include Australian uranium.
���As prime minister of Australia, my objective is to build a comprehensive , enduring strategic partnership between Australia and India that will not result in yet another false dawn,��� he said.
Noting that India was emerging as a ���significant global power��� , Rudd strongly backed its participation in key regional fora like the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum and APEC.
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