MEA Addresses Visa Delay Concerns for Indian Students in Australia
Amid reports of visa processing delays and potential restrictions on applications, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday reassured Indian students that opportunities to pursue education in Australia remain open and fair. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Australian authorities have provided assurances that there will be "no reduction of opportunities for genuine students from India."
Foreign Secretary Misri Provides Details
During a special briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day official visit to Australia, Misri acknowledged concerns among Indian students regarding changes in assessment frameworks and visa application delays. However, he emphasized that in discussions with Australian leaders, there was only appreciation for the student exchange framework. "We heard nothing but appreciation and the laying out of a framework for taking this aspect of our people-to-people exchanges even further," Misri said.
He added that Australian authorities admitted some processes have become "a bit more onerous" but assured that this would not reduce opportunities for genuine Indian students. Misri also dismissed reports suggesting Indian students could face restrictions on applying to Australian universities, calling them baseless. "I don't think there is any truth to those reports," he stated.
Education as a Pillar of India-Australia Ties
Misri highlighted that education remains a key pillar of India-Australia people-to-people ties, with both sides committed to strengthening student exchanges. "The cooperation on the student exchange front and in so far as opportunities for Indian students to come and study here in Australia are concerned, we are reasonably assured that those opportunities remain open; they remain fair, and Australian authorities continue to extend a welcome to these aspirants from India," he said.
New Campus Initiatives and MoUs
As part of the education and research cooperation outcomes during the visit, Australia's Flinders University received a Letter of Intent (LoI) to set up a campus in Bengaluru, enabling its presence in India. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University of Melbourne to promote collaboration, including joint research programmes in drug target identification, trainee programmes, and faculty exchanges. Additionally, Victoria University was handed a Letter of Approval to establish and operate a campus in Gurugram.
Creative Sector Collaboration
The two sides also advanced cooperation in the creative sector through an MoU between Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata, and Griffith Film School. This agreement provides a framework for joint academic activities, workshops, cinema projects, and short-term training programmes.
