Australia looking at India for skilled professionals: minister

New Delhi
The Economic Times
Promoting Australia as a safe place to study, visiting Immigration Minister Chris Evans on Monday said his country was looking at India for skilled human resource, and his government was doing everything to give a "safe environment" for foreign students and professionals.

"India is a young country with young people and ours is an ageing country. We rely on Indian doctors, IT people and workforce and skilled professionals for the next forty years," Evans said, after meeting Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi here.

Evans arrived here Sunday night. He said his meeting with Ravi was a "good opportunity for us to reinforce our commitment in making Australia a safe environment for international students".

"Immigration from India is a big part of our economy" and that it was his government's endeavour to provide Indian students and professionals a "safe environment".

"We encourage student to have quality education and become part of the Australian life," he said.

Evan's visit comes in the wake of a series of visits by officials and delegation from Australia to India after an uproar over a number of attacks on Indian students, mainly in Melbourne.