India-Australia race relations worsen

India's High Commissioner to Australia has been recalled for talks next week amid increasingly strained diplomatic relations between the two countries governments over attacks on Indian students in Australia.

After recent attacks in Melbourne, India High Commissioner Sujatha Singh met with Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce and told her that Victoria state was "in denial" over the severity of the problem.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Mrs Singh warned Ms Bryce that there would be long-term consequences unless more action was taken to prevent similar attacks in the future.

In return, Victorian Premier John Brumby criticised some Indian media over their coverage of the issue saying there needed to be "some balance to the reporting".

Mrs Singh will travel to Delhi to explain her perspective on the violence, which threatens to seriously damage relations between the nations.

Some Indian media outlets are reporting she has been "recalled" because of the controversy surrounding the attacks but a government source said the meetings were not out of the ordinary.

"She is scheduled to come back on routine consultation duties scheduled from 10 to 16 February to apprise the government and minister of her on-the-ground assessment.. and also to apprise the government here of steps taken by the Australian authorities," said government sources.

India's main opposition party hopes that India's government will take a tougher stance on Australia.

"Steps taken by the government so far have proved to be ineffective," said an opposition Bharatiya Janata Party official.

- NZ HERALD STAFF