Rudd condemns racist attacks

Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Monday condemned a series of attacks on Indian students as calls mounted for a wider probe into the country's international student sector.

Indian students say the attacks in Melbourne, which have left one student with serious injuries after being stabbed with a screwdriver, are racially motivated. Police say the incidents are both racial and part of a wider increase in opportunistic crimes.

The attacks escalated into a diplomatic issue on last Friday, with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressing concern during a phone call with Rudd.

"We deplore and condemn these attacks. These are senseless acts of violence. Those who carry out these attacks stand condemned," Rudd told parliament.

"I said to Prime Minister Singh the more than 90,000 Indian students in Australia are welcomed guests in our country."

Australia's international student sector is the country's third largest export earner, behind coal and iron ore, totalling A$13 billion (Dh36.7 billion) in 2007-08.

Police in Victoria state yesterday broke up a sit-in protest by Indian students in Melbourne. "I think that some of the attacks are racially motivated," said Victorian state police chief Simon Overland.

"I think some of the attacks are opportunistic in that they just happen to be Indian students in the wrong place at the wrong time."