Fears of a tourism backlash as Indian student is stabbed and killed in Melbourne
Fears of a tourism backlash are growing after an Indian student was stabbed to death in Melbourne at the weekend.
Nitin Garg, a 21-year-old accountancy student from Punjab, was the latest victim in a spate of attacks on Indian students.
In a statement, India’s external affairs minister SM Krishna warned: “If attacks of this nature continue, we will have to seriously think what course of action lies with the government of India. India will not tolerate (it) any more.”
Meanwhile, Victorian Tourism Industry Council chairman Jeremy Johnson said the prospect of Indian travel warnings was “a major worry” and called for an increased police presence, tougher sentencing and improved public safety measures.
Garg was stabbed in a park on Saturday night by a group of unidentified men. Police have refused to speculate on any racist motive for the killing.
Last year’s spate of attacks brought protests from India and put bilateral ties under stress.
Nearly 100,000 Indian students study in Australia, contributing around $2 billion to the economy. Indian tourism to Victoria grew by nearly 34 per cent in the year-ending September 30 2009.
By Martin Lane · January 5th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Comments
6 Jan 10
1:41 pm
A tragedy, for sure. But no amount of police or CCTV cameras will ever stop these random attacks.
Has SM Krishna forgotten the Mumbai terrorist attacks where four Australians were killed? Is the war in Kashmir over?
6 Jan 10
8:32 pm
A tragedy like this is sure to make some of us wake up to the reality of globalization: while there are great opportunities for youngsters to explore the world, the challenges also abound
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