Indian students protest in Australia against attacks

A demonstrator shouts slogans during a protest by Indian students in central Sydney June 7, 2009.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Hundreds of Indian students marched in Sydney on Sunday to protest against a spate of violent attacks that victims have called racist, witnesses said.

The attacks caused some diplomatic discomfort between the two countries and sparked angry protests in India. Australia's government condemned the attacks and has launched an inquiry into them.

Carrying Indian flags and chanting slogans, the protesters marched through the city centre calling for more action by authorities to protect their rights.

Student and part-time taxi-driver Navjot Singh described to the rally how he was recently slashed in the face, saying police were powerless to deal with the violence.

The march follows a large demonstration a week ago in Melbourne, where most of the attacks have occurred.

The protests come after four Indian students were attacked with a screwdriver by a gang at a Melbourne party last month.

Another Indian student was attacked in what appeared to be a robbery, and there were three other attacks in early May, including two on Indian taxi drivers.

Australia's international student sector is the country's third-largest export earner, behind oil and coal. Some 93,000 Indian students study in Australia.

Last month Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed concern over the incidents to his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd.

Last week Foreign Minister Stephen Smith named National Security Adviser Duncan Lewis to head an inquiry into a series of assaults over 18 months, and said Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard would meet personally with students to discuss their safety.