India is in constant touch with Australia, says Shashi Tharoor

New Delhi, June 1 (ANI): Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor today said that India is in constant touch with Australia in the wake of attacks on Indian students there.

Talking to reporters outside Parliament, Tharoor said that the issue has been taken up at the highest levels and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had a telephonic conversation with his Australian counterpart conveying India's serious concern over the issue.

Meanwhile, Leader of opposition L K Advani urged the Australian authorities to take effective steps against those involved in the racist attacks.

In a statement issued here Advani asked the Centre to make sustained diplomatic efforts to ensure safety, security and well being of the Indian students in Australia.

Condemning the attacks, he said that it is the duty of the Australian Government to ensure safety of the Indian students there.

The attacks have been occurring for more than a year but came into focus last weekend when a student named Sravan Kumar Theerthala was left fighting for his life after being stabbed with a screwdriver.

Australian Police have repeatedly denied that racial hatred was a factor in the attacks by contending that Indian students were often simply in the wrong time at the wrong place as they travelled home late at night with items such as mobile phones and IPods. (ANI)