In a bid to assuage India’s concerns regarding the recent attacks on Indians in Australia, a nine-member delegation from Australia began an eight-city tour here on Monday. The delegation, during the tour spanning nine days, will meet the political leaders, students, parents and officials of various state governments and underline their policy of “zero tolerance for racism”.

The Australian delegation comprising officials from the Higher Education department, police, university officials, some of them of Indian origin, have already met Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and officials of the Ministry of Overseas Indian affairs.

Meetings with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy are being worked out.

The team is visiting Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Chandigarh and Hyderabad, mainly those cities which contribute to the nearly one-lakh strong Indian student population in Australia.

“Australia has taken a strong stand on these attacks and is committed to take all the necessary measures to ensure safety of the Indian students,” Colin Walters, Group Manager, International Group, Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and the pointsman for international students in the Department of Education, said here.