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Rudd sorry for attacks on Indian students
Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi, Canberra, May 29: Government’s incessant diplomatic pressure on Australia finally bore fruit on Friday as Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd termed the attacks on the Indian students as ‘unfortunate’ and tendered an apology to PM Dr Manmohan Singh. “The attacks are appalling in every sense,” Rudd said during his telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister.

“It was a criminal act, opportunistic in nature. There is nothing to suggest it was a racist attack,” he said to PM Dr Manmohan Singh, who has expressed grave concerns over the attacks.

The apology from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd came shortly after the government asked the Australian establishment to ensure safety of Indian students and prevent the recurrence of such attacks in the future.

While the Australian government still refuses to accept the racist angle to the attacks, it has guaranteed to do its best to ensure the safety and well being of Indians living there.

Australian High Commissioner summoned

Earlier, the Ministry OF External Affairs summoned the Australian High Commissioner to India John McCarthy to express concern about the security of its students Down Under.

While in Delhi, coming out of the meeting at the MEA, High Commissioner McCarthy said that the Australian government was very concerned about the these attacks.

He also, importantly, accepted that there was a racial element to these attacks.

“I can see these attacks as criminal, but I don’t rule out element of racism,” said McCarthy.

Within hours of McCarthy’s meeting at the MEA, newly appointed Union External Affairs Minister SM Krishna also talked to his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith.

It is believed that, during the 20 minute long phone call, the Australian minister on behalf of his government has assured safety of Indian students in their country.

Earlier, Krishna had also spoken to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd expressing concern over the issue.

Also, Minister for Overseas Affairs Vayalar Ravi, while expressing concern over the attacks said that “things would be in place within the next 24-48 hours”.

Ravi added that he has sought an immediate report from the Indian High Commission in Canberra on the entire issue.

Stressing home the importance being imparted by the Oz government to prevent such attacks, the High Commissioner pointed out that steps are being taken to inform the students about the conditions in Australia, adding that a lot of work needs to be done to live up to the country’s reputation as a welcoming country.

Indian High Commissioner takes up the cudgels

Earlier, the Indian High Commissioner to Australia Sujata Singh was assertive, when speaking at a crowded press conference in Melbourne, after meeting premier of Victoria John Brumby and top police and educational officials of the province, said that there is a "racist element in some of the attacks" but many of them were "opportunistic".