Attacks on Africans ‘sullies’ nation’s image: House panel

New Delhi: The parliamentary “committee on external affairs” has slammed incidents of attacks on African students in India, saying it “sullies” the image of the country abroad can “neutralise whatever little relative advantage we (India) have in the African region for cultural diplomacy”. The panel also criticised the ministry of external affairs (MEA) for “omitting any response to the concern of the committee over the incidents of attacks on African students and action taken towards the welfare and well being of foreign scho-lars studying in India”.

In stinging comments, the panel, which placed its report before Parliament last week, said, “The ministry (MEA) has also omitted any response to the concern of the committee over the incidents of attacks on African students and action taken towards the welfare and well being of foreign scholars studying in India. Incidents of this kind not only sully the image of India abroad, but they also have a tendency to neutralise whatever little relative advantage we have in the African Region for cultural diplomacy.”

“In this situation, the Committee notes with concern that sporadic incidents of violence against students from Africa have occurred in various parts of the country. The committee would, therefore, reiterate that sufficient steps should be taken by the government to ensure safety and security of African students in coordination with concerned state governments,” the panel added.