The Australian High Commissioner to India Patrick Suckling on Friday sought to send out a firm message to discourage human trafficking attempts from the regional coastlines, by unequivocally stating that “we will never allow people who come here illegally by boat to settle in Australia”.
“People should not trust the words of human trafficking agents and seek to come to Australia by boat,” said Mr. Suckling, who is in Puducherry for discussions with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy and other key Government officials, after it emerged that 157 asylum-seekers, including Sri Lankan Tamils, had left by boat for Australia from the coast of the Union Territory in mid June.
“We want to curb this menace and we are taking steps in this direction,” he told The Hindu .
If unchecked, the influx of illegal immigrants could potentially led to criminal activities, he added.
According to Mr. Suckling, the Indian Government has been extending cooperation in curbing the “menace” of illegal asylum-seekers, India had stopped over 20 boats carrying asylum-seekers to Australia in 2012 and 2013, he noted.
Mr. Suckling sought to blame the previous Government led by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for relaxing immigration rules and triggering a “dramatic increase in the number of boats carrying illegal asylum-seekers to Australia over the last few years.”
“We are currently engaged in discussions with the Government here on returning the group of 157 asylum-seekers to India,” the High Commissioner said.
Mr. Suckling is slated to meet the Chief Minister in the afternoon.
