Spoke to Indian Attacked in Italy, Incident Not Racial: EAM Sushma

Indian students have been assaulted in a string of incidents in northern Italy.

File Picture Of Sushma Swaraj

(Photo:The Quint)

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday that she had spoken to an Indian student assaulted in Italy's Milan and was told that it was not a racial attack but robbery.

Sushma Swaraj, who earlier said she was personally monitoring the situation amid reports of attacks on Indian students in Milan, tweeted about her conversation with the student concerned.

She also appreciated the help rendered by the Consulate General of India in Milan.

Earlier in the day, the Indian Consulate in the Italian city issued an advisory, asking Indian students not to panic and to contact the mission in case of such incidents.

The report of the attacks came as Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni was in India on a two-day visit, and held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on boosting ties that have seen a marked downswing over recent years.

“The Consulate has received reports of unfortunate incidents of attacks on Indian students in Milan. All Indian students are urged not to panic. The Consulate is taking up this matter with the highest level of law and order authorities in Milan," according to the advisory posted on Twitter.

The advisory did not mention if the attacks on Indian students appeared to be racially motivated.

The CGI advised Indian students to be in touch with each other, especially when they go out. It also advised students to spread information among other students from India about the areas where they have experienced “such incidents” so that such areas can be avoided.

In New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said she had received a detailed report about the incidents. Swaraj said she was personally monitoring the situation and asked the students not to worry.

(With inputs from PTI, IANS)

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