Mr. John McCarthy, the High Commissioner of Australia, called on Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, during his visit to New Delhi. The Chief Minister expressed his concern about the recent attacks on Indian students, including those from Gujarat, and shared concerns of parents of students from Gujarat, who had expressed to Hon'ble Chief Minister about the fear and insecurity of their children studying in Australia. Mr. John McCarthy assured that Australian Government has taken measures to strengthen the sense of security among Indian students studying in Australia.
The Australian High Commissioner shared the concerns of Hon'ble Chief Minister and briefed him about the measures taken by Australian Government in this regard. He assured that the Indian students in Australia were safe and all measures were being taken to bring normalcy and remove fear and insecurity from the minds of students from India. He expressed full commitment of Australian Government for restoring normalcy. He appreciated that 20% of the Indian children who come to Australia for higher study were from Gujarat.
The Hon'ble Chief Minister suggested Australian High Commissioner that senior officers from the High Commission along with officials of the Ministry of External Affairs should jointly visit major cities of Gujarat and hold meetings with the parents of the students studying in Australia to assure them about the safety and security of their children and the measures taken by the Australian Government. Mr. John McCarthy appreciated and agreed to consider the suggestion so as to convey the parents of the students about the measures taken by Australian Government that he had explained to the Chief Minister of Gujarat. The Chief Minister also explained about the mechanism that Government of Gujarat has put in place of receiving on e-mail from affected parents. Government of Gujarat would be forwarding these e-mails to the Australian High Commission and share with the parents, information received from the Australian High Commission in India.
The Chief Minister of Gujarat informed the High Commissioner that he appreciated the achievements of universities and industry of Australia in various fields, bio-technology in particular. Gujarati companies were engaged in importing coal and other minerals from Australia. Mr. John McCarthy expressed his desire to increase mutual cooperation in other areas, including trade and commerce. He further told that he would be very happy to increase further trade and commerce between Gujarat and Australia.