Attacks on temples in Australia 'worrying', Modi tells Albanese

Attacks on temples in Australia 'worrying', Modi tells Albanese 

Safety Of Indian Community a Special Priority, Says Oz PM

• New Delhi: Amid a spate of attacks on Hindu temples in Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly rai sed the issue with his visiting counterpart Anthony Albanese saying that such attacks were disturbing and had naturally caused anxiety in India. Albanese assured him that the safety of the Indian community was a special priority for his government.

• While highlighting how the Indian community was making a significant contribution to the society and economy of Australia, Modi said it was a matter of regret that attacks on temples had been regularly reported over the past few weeks.

• "It is natural that such news worries the people in India and disturbs our mind. I have shared these feelings and concerns of ours with PM Albanese. And he has assured me that the safety of the Indian community is a special priority for him," said Modi in his remarks at a joint press meet with Albanese. "Our teams will be in regular touch on this topic, and will cooperate as much as possible," he added.

• India has repeatedly taken up with Australian authorities the attacks on temples by pro-Khalistan elements who are also carrying out, like in Canada, a Khalistan referendum. Australia, however, has assured India that the referendum has no legal standing.

• Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra later said that there were discussions on the disturbances caused by pro- Khalistan groups in Australia, adding Modi expressed strong concern on the incidents of vandalism and violence targeting the Indian community and temples in that country.

• Kwatra said Albanese assured Modi that his government had a deep understanding and appreciation of India's concerns and will be taking all necessary measures to ensure that peace and harmony prevails in the society.

• "We have to be proactive rat- her than reactive. What was the situation in the country (earlier) for being proactive and what is the situation now? Even after five decades of Independence, there was no law in the country to tackle disasters," he said. After the 2001 earthquake, Gujarat was the first state to come up with a disaster management act, he said. The Centre then enacted the National Disaster Management Act, 2005 and soon after NDMA was set up.