Sushma Swaraj meets delegation of African students, assures safety; says crime big but no racism involved

New Delhi: Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday held a meeting with a delegation of African students in Delhi in the wake of death of Congolese national in the capital.

"We tried to explain them that the incident is huge but it isn't an incident of racial discrimination," Sushma Swaraj said after meeting with delegation of African students.

"CCTV footage clearly shows that Indian citizens who were present at spot, tried their best to save Masunda Oliver."

"We held a meeting with African students and told them the incident of death of Congo national is not only unfortunate but painful for us," Sushma Swaraj added.

"Being a mother, I can understand the pain of parents of Congo student (Oliver) who lost their son on a foreign soil," the minister added.

"We've chalked out a plan - Our MoS along with secretary will visit every metro city and hold discussions with African students," Swaraj said.

Sushma Swaraj and VK Singh had jointly held a meeing with a delegation of African students and two leaders.

The spate of rising attacks on African nationals has caused outrage among the community, several thousands of who study in India. The African envoys had last week threatened to boycott the Africa Day event over the murder of Oliver.

Sushma Swaraj assured them of government's commitment to safety and security of African nationals in India.

African nationals were feeling unsafe after brutal murder of a Congolese youth Masunda Oliver in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj on May 20.