Australia to ensure welfare of Indians

Foreign Ministers hold a conversation

09/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

Australia has assured India of the welfare of Indian students stranded there due to travel restrictions over the novel coronavirus pandemic, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said after a conversation with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne on Wednesday.

“A very good conversation with FM Marise Payne on our respective responses to COVID-19. She assured that there is no change in the status of Indian students studying in Australia,” Mr. Jaishankar wrote in a tweet.

“We discussed the importance of Australia’s Indian community in responding to the crisis & supporting Australians in India affected by internal & travel restrictions,” Ms. Payne added on Twitter.

The conversation followed a call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart, Scott Morisson, on Monday, with the latter saying Indian students would continue to be “valued”. Thousands of Indian students in Australia have been worried by Mr. Morisson’s comments last week that those who are not able to support themselves should “return to their home countries”.

The Australian High Commission in India is planning to charter flights to take Australian citizens from India back home.

However, unlike other countries, India is not at present allowing citizens abroad to return.

“India will fully facilitate arrangements for Australians wishing to return home,” Mr. Jaishankar said.