Australia looking at India for skilled professionals: Minister

NEW DELHI: Promoting Australia as a safe place to study, visiting Immigration minister Chris Evans on Monday said his country was looking at India for skilled human resource, and his government was doing everything to give a "safe environment" for foreign students and professionals.

"India is a young country with young people and ours is an ageing country. We rely on Indian doctors, IT people and workforce and skilled professionals for the next forty years," Evans told reporters, after meeting Overseas Indian affairs minister Vayalar Ravi here.

Evans arrived here Sunday night. He said his meeting with Ravi was a "good opportunity for us to reinforce our commitment in making Australia a safe environment for international students".

"Immigration from India is a big part of our economy" and that it was his government's endeavour to provide Indian students and professionals a "safe environment".

"We encourage student to have quality education and become part of the Australian life," he said.

Evan's visit comes in the wake of a series of visits by officials and delegation from Australia to India after an uproar over a number of attacks on Indian students, mainly in Melbourne.

"The attacks on Indian students were example of criminal behaviour. It was unacceptable and completely against the law of Australia," he said.

Underlining that these were not racial, he said Indian students became vulnerable as they often took up odd-hour jobs and were not aware of the high-crime areas of the city.

"These are issues of law enforcement problem and also issues due to lack of confidence among students to report these issues," said Evans.

He said his government's recent efforts were focused on gaining confidence of students.

"There was a cricket match recently. Since cricket is a common language, so it was friendly match to bridge differences," said the Australian minister, referring to cricket matches between Victoria police and Indian students last month.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS-India-Australia-looking-at-India-for-skilled-professionals-Minister/articleshow/4799984.cms