Oz assures India of action against culprits

Australia assured India that "firm action" will be taken against those responsible for the recent attacks on Indian students as External Affairs Minister SM Krishna took up the issue with the authorities in Sydney amid serious concerns over it back home.

Australia on Thurday assured India that "firm action" will be taken against those responsible for the recent attacks on Indian students as External Affairs Minister SM Krishna took up the issue with the authorities in Sydney amid serious concerns over it back home.

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During his meeting with New South Wales (NSW) Premier Nathan Rees, Krishna, who is on a five-day visit to Australia, was assured that firm action will be taken against the perpetrators.

Rees also assured Krishna that inputs from the Indian community will be included in the action plan for international students.

He informed the minister that a meeting of the task force on the issue was to be held tomorrow.

The External Affairs Minister, who met the Indian community representatives to get first-hand information about the problems faced by them, said that "well being and safety of Indians overseas is a top priority for the government of India."

The Indian community leaders emphasised that the immediate action by Australian government in every case was necessary and asked Krishna to tell authorities of this country to be more cooperative.

They, however, also admitted during the meeting that Australia was not a racist country.