Melbourne, August 8
India today said it would be "ruthless" in dealing with rogue agents duping youngsters pursuing studies here, as Australia announced a revamp of its scam-tainted international education sector and assured safety of Indian students facing racially-motivated attacks.

The Indian government will go after unscrupulous education agents in the country as part of its efforts to control the student crisis, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told reporters here.

"We will be ruthless" with the fake agents who paint a rosy picture and take gullible students for a ride, Krishna, who is on a five-day visit to Australia, said when asked what measures India will be taking to tackle the issue.

A spate of recent attacks on Indian students and unearthing of several scams have battered Australia's $15.5 billion international education sector.

Krishna, the first senior Indian leader to visit Australia after the crisis erupted, discussed both the issues in detail with the top Australian leadership, which assured him of protecting the Indian student community.

Amid reports that a number of migration and education agents were "duping" foreign students including Indians, Australia today also announced sweeping changes to resolve problems in accreditation, role of recruitment agents and curriculum.

The revamp plan included a review of the legislation governing education services for overseas students, focusing on four main areas - the welfare of students, quality of services, regulation and the sustainability of the industry.

Announcing the measures, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who is also the education minister, said former Liberal MP Bruce Baird will head the government review into the sector, the nation's third largest export industry, and recommend steps to set it right.

Krishna also said the India government was ready to work with Australia in areas that need joint supervision "such as regulating education or immigration agents in India." On the attacks on Indian students, the External Affairs Minister said he did not think all the assaults were racist.

Krishna, who met with the Indian community members, including some of the students who were subjected to racial attacks, said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his counterpart Stephen Smith had yesterday assured him that the well being and security of Indians will be taken care of.

He said the main objective of his trip was to get first-hand information about the situation and to talk to students and Indian community about their concerns.

"Australian authorities have been responsive to our concerns on the well-being and security of students," he told a gathering of Indian community members. "We appreciate the fact that they have stepped up police patrolling in the problematic areas and have taken several other measures to deal with the safety issue."

Krishna said the bilateral relationship is set to grow all around while the student issue needed to be dealt with in a "sensitive manner".

"The well being of Indians overseas and especially of students is a top priority for the government. We have been concerned by the recent attacks on our students as well as the other issues that they are facing," he said.

"The two task forces that have been set up, by PM Rudd and Deputy PM Julia Gillard, with which our High Commission has been in close contact, are examining various issues that relate to the well-being of international students, including Indians," he said.

"The PM (Rudd) and FM (Smith) have assured me that they are looking into all these issues and will put measures into place to resolve them," he said adding, the Australian Prime Minister has promised to look into student issue personally.

The minister also said specially designated student welfare officers would be available in Indian High Commission and Consulates in Australia who will focus on issues related to Indian students. Every Friday, any Indian student can walk in without prior appointment to discuss their problems. — PTI