Attacks racist but have belief in Indian govt: African envoy

Calling as "racist" the recent attacks on African nationals, South African envoy Malose William Mogale today said he has firm belief in the government here to deal with such incidents.

"It's racist attacks. But it is not government policy. It is people who might want to tarnish the image of the country, India, to be portrayed to the world that it is the country where there is an emerging trend of racism and more foreigners are not allowed," he said.

Mogale, acting High Commissioner of South Africa here, said these African human beings come to help country in its growth as some of migrants come with a set of skills to assist the economy in leap forward.

"We have firm belief in the capacity of Indian government to deal with these incidents," he told Times Now.

The envoy said the attacks come as a surprise "especially given the fact (that) our relations are decade and decade old".

Mogale said the issue was raised in private conversation between the two countries representatives about two weeks ago in South Africa.

"It is indeed a tragedy, especially that South Africa and India have shared a common history of colonisation and oppression," he said.

There has been a series of attacks on African nationals in the last few days including killing of a Congolese youth in national capital and assault on a 23-year-old Nigerian student in Hyderabad.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma and expressed concern over the attacks.

"Spoke to Commissioner of Police, Delhi regarding the incidents of physical assault against certain African nationals. Such incidents are condemnable.

"Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers and increase patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone," he tweeted.