By IANS,
New Delhi : India will discuss the attacks on its students in Australia when its Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visits later this week, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said here Monday.
“Our government has been anxious not to dramatise this problem. We have 90,000 Indian students in Australia, out of which only 25 have suffered attacks,” Tharoor said at the India Economic Summit.
He said Australia had assured that it was taking a number of steps, like increasing police patrol, for creating a safer environment. “We have assurances from Australia about the number of steps they are taking to keep our students safe,” said Tharoor.
“I am sure that these subjects will be further discussed when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is here,” he added.
After postponing his visit twice, Rudd will arrive in Delhi Wednesday and meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the following day.
Other issues on the table would include the sale of uranium to India. Australia has been hesitant to sell uranium for nuclear reactors in India, which has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Rudd is also likely to watch a cricket match during his visit to Mumbai.