Melbourne, Aug 7 - Describing India as 'a rising power', Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Friday assured External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna that his government was taking all steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian students.

Rudd and Krishna held talks for 20 minutes and discussed a range of bilateral issues, including the security of nearly 100,000 Indian students in that country.

After talks with Rudd, Krishna underlined his satisfaction at the steps taken by the Australian government to prevent attacks on Indian students. 'I am satisfied with the assurances give to me by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd,' Krishna said.

'Prime Minister Rudd is fully aware of the sensitivity of the issues concerning students. He informed about the remedial measures already taken by the government.'

'I am satisfied that the Australian government at federal and state levels are fully geared to meet the situation,' he said.

'Rudd described India as an emerging power and I am convinced that Indian students coming here will be safe and taken care of,' Krishna, who is on a five-day visit to Australia, said.