Modi,Raja express concern over attacks

With racial attacks against Indian students in Australia continuing,the CPI on Wednesday alleged that the Manmohan Singh Government8217;s response to the issue had been lukewarm and suggested that a special emissary be rushed to that country to infuse confidence among parents whose wards study there.

CPI national secretary D Raja shot off a letter to the PM saying that mere expression of concern by New Delhi was not enough. He pointed out that Indian students contributed an estimated Rs 20,000 crore to the Australian economy and also said that these attacks were a stark reminder of the fruits of globalisation in the education sector.

Expressing concern over the attacks,Gujarat CM Narendra Modi has also written to Minister for External Affairs S M Krishna and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi,urging them to initiate measures for the security of these students. Gujarat Government spokesman Jay Narayan Vyas said Modi had also suggested that officials from the Australian High Commission and the MEA should meet the parents of students studying in Australia.