Pranab voices concern over attacks on Africans

Simran Sodhi & Shaurya Karanbir Gurung

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 30

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar today met African students and assured them of their safety. The outreach  comes in the wake of the killing of Congolese national Masonda Ketada Oliver and also a number of assaults on the community members. To make matters worse, a taxi driver was allegedly beaten up by a group of Africans today in the locality where some African nationals were attacked last week. 

President Pranab Mukherjee, stepping in, expressed concern over the attacks on the Africans. 

He said the attacks were painful because as a student, political activist and MP, he had seen first-hand how India and Africa had always been close partners. What might make matters tricky for India is the timing. India is keen to engage with the African continent on a number of issues, ranging from investments to oil and co-operation in counter-terrorism. Vice-President Hamid Ansari today left for a five-day visit to Morocco and Tunisia. PM Narendra Modi is expected to visit South Africa, Mozambique and Kenya in July while President Pranab Mukherjee is likely to travel to Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Senegal in mid-June. 

Meanwhile, Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma  held a meeting with a delegation of the African communityin Delhi. The police have intensified patrolling in areas where the African community resides.

India is sensitive to the fact that despite sharing historical ties with African nations, China has stolen the  march in terms of investments and infrastructure development in the continent. For India, Africa is an important partner as it seeks a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

The  Foreign Secretary's meeting with African students was India’s effort to send a message from the top that matters pertaining to the safety and security of African students will 

be looked into seriously. "Foreign Secretary to students: Ensuring safety and security of foreign students is an article of faith for us," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted.