Perth (Australia). Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Human Resource Development, arriving yesterday in Perth, in the first leg of a four day tour to Australia met with Australian Foreign Minister Mr. Stephen Smith. The two Ministers discussed issues related to Indian students in Australia and the potential for knowledge partnerships between the two countries across all levels of education. The two Ministers discussed the ongoing steps that the Australian Government is taking to ensure that Indian students in Australia remain safe and receive quality education. They also looked to the future of the Australia-India education relationship, which presents enormous opportunities to deepen collaboration across all sectors from vocational education and training to higher education and postgraduate studies & research.

Shri Sibal also met the Deputy Premier of Western Australia, Dr. Kim Hames and other members of the Western Australian Government to discuss the possibilities of further cooperation between Western Australia and India.

Shri Sibal, in another event, met and interacted with Indian students and members of the Indian community to hear about their problems and experiences and assured them that Government of India is in continuous engagement with the Australian Government to secure the well being of the students from the Indian community He also informed them about the recent developments in the education sector in India.

During this visit, Shri Sibal will also be visiting Melbourne and Sydney. Shri. Sibal will be interacting with Indian students and the Indian community in each city. In Melbourne, he will be holding the second ministerial dialogue on Education with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Ms. Julia Gillard.