The Australian High Commission in New Delhi has firmly denied recent media claims suggesting that some Australian educational institutions are restricting or banning applications from students in specific Indian states.
In an official statement, the High Commission clarified that reports of bans or restrictions on student applications from states such as Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir are inaccurate. The statement emphasized that there are currently over 125,000 Indian students studying in Australia, making them the second largest group of international students in the country. The Commission reaffirmed that Indian student visa applications continue to be processed according to global standards.
The High Commission also reiterated the strength of the educational relationship between India and Australia, emphasizing that Indian students are highly valued for their contributions to Australian classrooms and society at large.
During a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal commented that visa decisions are a sovereign matter, and it is within the rights of any country, including Australia, to determine its own visa policies.
In related developments, Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has put forward a proposal aimed at reducing the number of international students in the country. His suggestions include temporary changes to graduate visas, increased application fees, and tighter restrictions on student enrollments.
