CWG security on Australian minister's agenda during India visit

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith on Sunday said since there is a "high risk" of terror attacks in India, he would discuss the security plan for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi during his visit to the country starting on Tuesday.

Smith will be on a three-day visit to India and the rising number of violent assaults on Indian students in Australia will also top the agenda during his talks with the officials.

"We are suffering very much in terms of our reputation and standing in India because of the recent difficulties we have had with attacks on Indian students in Australia, particularly in Melbourne.

"But, I also want to have conversations with relevant Indian ministers about the planning for the Commonwealth Games," Smith told ABC television.
The Commonwealth Games, the biggest sporting event in India since the Asian Games in 1982, will be held in New Delhi from October 3-14. The Games and several other international sporting events in India have been the subject of terrorist threats.

Concerns have grown more after a recent bombing at a restaurant in the city of Pune which killed 16 people.

"...we continue to underline that there is a high risk of terrorist attacks in India. That's reflected by our travel advice and that's reflected by our general advice that we give any Australian who is contemplating travelling to India."