Amid Unrest In South Africa, India Raises Concern Over Attacks On Indian Expats, Indian-Origin South Africans: Report

India has raised concern over the recent attacks on the Indian expats and people of Indian-origin in South Africa.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is said to have spoken with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor to convey India's concern over the violence against the Indian-origin people amid the unrest in the country, reports Times of India.

Further, MEA secretary Sanjay Bhattacharya also met with the high commissioner of South Africa to India Joel Sibusiso Ndebele and expressed reservations about the issue, official sources were quoted in the report as saying.

“South African side assured that their government was doing its utmost to enforce law and order... They expected the situation to improve soon,” a source was quoted as saying.

"Regarding reports of arson and looting against Indians and Indian-origin South Africans, the South African side conveyed that opportunistic elements were taking advantage of the situation to engage in violence,” the source added.

It should be noted that the violence erupted in South Africa last Wednesday after the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma. As many as 72 people have reportedly been killed in the violence.

Among areas affected by the rioting and looting are Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg, all of which have a sizeable population of Indian expats. Further, businesses owned by Indians and Indian-origin South Africans are reportedly also being targeted by looters.