The Hon Stephen Smith MP, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australian Commonwealth Coat of Arms

The Hon Stephen Smith mp

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Australian Foreign Minister meets Indian Minister for External Affairs Krishna

Media release

3 March 2010

Today I visited one of India's premier education institutions, St. Stephen's College in New Delhi, where I addressed the student assembly. I outlined the steps that Australian Governments are taking to ensure that Indian students in Australia remain safe and return home with a first class education and a great Australian experience.

I visited Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi's memorial) and placed a wreath to mark Australia's respect for Mahatma Gandhi.

I met with Minister for Human Resource Development, Kapil Sibal, to discuss the knowledge partnership between our countries and deepen links in education, research, science and technology. I briefed Minister Sibal about the actions taken by Australian authorities to create a safe and rewarding study environment for Indian students. I thanked Mr Sibal for accompanying me to the Australia-India hockey friendship game last night and I welcomed Mr Sibal's forthcoming visit to Australia.

I met Minister for Home Affairs, P Chidambaram, and briefed him on Australia's recently announced Counter-Terrorism White Paper. We discussed the growing challenge presented by global terrorism. Mr Chidambaram briefed me on India's security preparations for major sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games.

I met with India's new National Security Advisor, Shiv Shankar Menon, about global and regional strategic challenges. We explored opportunities for further activity under the umbrella of the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation agreed between our two Prime Ministers last year.

In the evening, I met with Minister for External Affairs, S M Krishna. I thanked Minister Krishna for his close cooperation as our countries worked to address the recent problems faced by some Indian students in Australia.

We discussed recent changes to Australia's skilled migration program and the measures that the Australian Government is taking to support international students adversely affected by the closure of Australian educational institutions.

We talked about the breadth of the bilateral relationship between Australia and India and opportunities for further co-operation to take forward the strategic partnership announced by our respective Prime Ministers in November 2009.

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