No racial attack on Indian students in Italy, confirms Sushma Swaraj‏

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday that the attack on Indian students in Italy was a case of robbery and not a racial attack.

"Attack on Indian students in Italy - I have spoken to the concerned Indian student in Milan. He has told me that this was a case of robbery and not a racial attack," she tweeted.

The report of the attacks came as Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni was in India on a two-day visit and held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on boosting ties that have seen a marked downswing over recent years.

"Attack on Indian students in Milan - I have got the detailed report. Please do not worry. I am monitoring the situation personally," the EAM had said earlier in a tweet.

Attack on Indian students in Italy - I have spoken to the concerned Indian student in Milan. /1 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 31, 2017

He has told me that this was a case of robbery and not a racial attack. /2 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 31, 2017

I appreciate @cgmilan1 for providing all help. /3

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 31, 2017

Brave Indian student who suffered the traumatic attack came to report the matter. Students maintain no racist angle in the incident. pic.twitter.com/TB9OgIYZXI — India in Milan (@cgmilan1) October 31, 2017

The Consulate is in touch with the students as well as local authorities. All help is being provided to the students. — India in Milan (@cgmilan1) October 31, 2017

Swaraj's remarks came a day after the Indian Consulate in Milan said that it has received reports of attacks and cautioned students to stay away from any area perceived to be of risk.

"The consulate has received reports of unfortunate incident of attacks on the Indian students in Milan. All Indian students are urged not to panic," the statement had said.

"Students are also requested to report such matters to the Consulate on Consul General's Cell 3290884057 immediately," the consulate had said sharing the helpline number. 

"This will help the consulate take up the issue with the higher authorities in Milan so that all efforts can be made to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future. In the meanwhile, students are advised to be in touch with each other (particularly when they go out) as well as with the Consulate and spread the information among other students about the areas where they face such incidents so that such areas can be avoided or approached with greater caution," the statement had added.

Attack on Indian students in Milan pic.twitter.com/kY0qwfePm8

— India in Milan (@cgmilan1) October 30, 2017

According to reports, the attacks took place on October 17 and October 30. Three Indians students were allegedly attacked with beer bottles, in apparent racist attacks.

There is a 180,000-strong Indian community in Italy, the third largest in the European Union after Britain and the Netherlands.

Gentiloni was in India on October 29-30 in what was the first Italian PM visit in over a decade.

(With IANS inputs)