Melbourne: External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has said some "dubious" educational institutions in Australia were ruining the lives of young Indians and asked Canberra to come out with new regulations to cover private colleges to undo the damage.
He also said "physical attacks" on Indian students in Australia and the poor quality of courses and services offered in many vocational colleges were of concern to India.
"I think they (vocational colleges) are not only bringing a bad name to Australia but they are destroying the future of the younger generation of Indian students," Krishna, who is in Melbourne on a visit, told 'The Australian' newspaper.
He also called for new regulations to cover private colleges and continued reform by the federal and state governments.
However, Krishna also praised Canberra and state governments for responding to India's concerns. He said the damage to Australia's reputation in India need not be long term.
"The Australian and (state) governments have quickly moved in and started undoing the damage by a series of measures taken to dispel any notions of insecurity felt by the Indian student community," he said.
"I would want the tempo to be maintained so that signals are constantly flowing to India, so that governments are constantly responding to meet our concerns," Krishna, who met Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his counterpart Stephen Smith during his visit, said.
Asked whether China's massive military build-up concerned India, Krishna said: "When a country acquires much more than is needed to defend its territories, naturally it causes some concern."
Krishna said India supported China's territorial integrity, and regarded Tibet as part of China. However, he said: "The Dalai Lama is a highly respected spiritual figure throughout the length and breadth of India. Over time he has left his spiritual imprint on the people of India."
Krishna also accused Pakistan of maintaining a terrorism infrastructure that was used to launch attacks against India, the Australian reported.
He also said "physical attacks" on Indian students in Australia and the poor quality of courses and services offered in many vocational colleges were of concern to India.
"I think they (vocational colleges) are not only bringing a bad name to Australia but they are destroying the future of the younger generation of Indian students," Krishna, who is in Melbourne on a visit, told 'The Australian' newspaper.
However, Krishna also praised Canberra and state governments for responding to India's concerns. He said the damage to Australia's reputation in India need not be long term.
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"I would want the tempo to be maintained so that signals are constantly flowing to India, so that governments are constantly responding to meet our concerns," Krishna, who met Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his counterpart Stephen Smith during his visit, said.
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Krishna said India supported China's territorial integrity, and regarded Tibet as part of China. However, he said: "The Dalai Lama is a highly respected spiritual figure throughout the length and breadth of India. Over time he has left his spiritual imprint on the people of India."
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