Australian govt withdraws incorrect Indian map from its website

Australia has withdrawn a map of India, posted on its immigration department website which omitted the border states of Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh, following strong protests from the Indian community in the country.

The map was withdrawn on Sunday after complaints from Indian lobby groups in Australia, a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) spokesperson was quoted by The Australian newspaper as saying.

The DIAC spokesperson said the map was sourced from the UN and mistakenly posted on the website without explanatory footnotes.

A Sydney-based NRI body, Council of Indian Australians Inc (CIA), has welcomed the decision.

"DIAC is a responsive body which takes note of the concerns of the Indian Australian community and acts promptly when needed," president of CIA Yadu Singh said.

"We, the Indian Australian community, are happy  that we have been able to get a wrong righted," he said.

The body has asked the ministry of external affairs to deal with matters of this nature proactively.