Aussie PM apologises

Attack on Indians: Rudd calls up Singh

Rudd was reported to have said he was horrified at the attacks but defended the response of the police.

“Any act of violence, any decent human being just responds with horror at the sort of attacks which have occurred recently... but the key thing is to make sure our law enforcement authorities are doing the best they can. I am confident they are,” he was quoted as having told Singh. Rudd, however, did not admit the attacks were racist in nature.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India was very much concerned about the attacks, and that the Indian consulate in Australia was in constant touch with the Indian students in that country.

The Ministry of External Affairs also said continued unease could have an adverse impact on a sector that showed promise.

Commissioner summoned

On Friday, the ministry summoned Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy in New Delhi to convey its concerns and ask his government to prevent attacks against the Indian students.

McCarthy was summoned by N Ravi, Secretary (East) in the MEA.

The Australian envoy said his government was taking steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

“I was asked to come to the Ministry of External Affairs to discuss the recent attacks on Indian students in Australia. Ravi conveyed the Indian concerns very clearly and urged that we take steps to ensure that these sorts of incidents do not occur,” McCarthy said.