India seeks data on cases of attacks in Aus

India on Thursday asked the Victorian government to share data about the prosecution being made in cases of attacks on Indians in the Australian state, arguing that it will increase the level of comfort in the community.

Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal during a closed door meeting with Victorian Premier John Brumby asked him to share data on attacks and raised issues like accommodation and transport concessions for students.

"We asked Victorian government to share the data about prosecution made in regards to assaults on Indians," he said, adding, "This kind of information sharing will increase level of comfort among the community in Down Under."

Sibal also praised the federal and state government's initiative in resolving the issue, and said he believed the incidence of attacks had declined.

Sibal also raised the issue of students with Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Jullia Gillard on Thursday morning and also mentioned "incidents that took place outside the student community," officials said.

Brumby, on his part, has assured that he would try to provide for the same.

"I mentioned to her about the lack of data and the lack of research as to the genesis of these attacks," he said.

Sibal also said that he had no doubt about the efforts of the Australian government to resolve the issue citing that Australia was already trying to put a regulatory framework.

During his meeting with Gillard, the minister agreed on three initiatives, including establishing an India-Australia education council as a bilateral body with representatives from academia, policymakers, business and industry to interact on issues education and further collaboration.

The initiative also included an agreement to facilitate the organisation of India-Australia inter-university convention of Vice Chancellors and academia to interact on issues of mutual concern among academics.

Under the initiative the two sides also agreed to facilitate the initiation of joint faculty development programmes through regular exchange of faculty and training in areas like teaching, research and curriculum development.

It was agreed that senior officials will advance the initiative through joint working group meetings and report progress at ministerial meetings, officials said.