New Delhi, October 19, 2025: Australia’s first Cabinet Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Anne Aly, visited India this weekend to address growing concerns over recent anti-India protests and attacks targeting the Indian diaspora in her country. Her visit comes amid reports of violent incidents and hate-fueled graffiti directed at Indian students, religious institutions, and businesses in major Australian cities.

During her visit, Aly met with India’s Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and leaders of multiple faith communities. She also visited key religious sites significant to the Indian diaspora, including the Birla Temple, Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, and Jama Masjid, emphasizing the importance of cultural and community linkages in strengthening bilateral ties. “With nearly one million Australians of Indian ancestry now residing in Australia, these community linkages remain a vital pillar of the bilateral relationship,” Aly told The Indian Express.

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Anne Aly’s Statement on Anti-India Protests

When questioned about the Australian government’s response to anti-immigrant protests and attacks on Indians in Australia, Aly stressed that safety and inclusion are non-negotiable rights for all Australians, regardless of background. “Every Australian — regardless of their background; their faith, their heritage — has the right to feel safe, respected, and welcome. Cultural diversity is not just part of our national identity; it’s one of our greatest attributes,” she said.

Aly noted that during the wave of attacks, Australian leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Foreign Minister, and herself, condemned the divisive rhetoric fueling such incidents. She reiterated the Prime Minister’s words to Indian Australians: “You’re welcome here. You make our country stronger by being here.”

She further highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to counter the risks posed by divisive narratives, online hate, and foreign interference, while pointing out that the majority of Australians continue to uphold the values of multiculturalism and pluralism.

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Spike in Anti-Indian Incidents

The rising tensions in Australia have manifested in both violent attacks and symbolic acts of intimidation targeting the Indian community.

• In Melbourne, the Shree Swaminarayan Temple and two Asian-owned restaurants in Boronia were vandalized in July, defaced with racist graffiti including the phrase: “Go home brown c***.” The temple is located in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, and the incidents occurred on Boronia Road, a hub for several Asian businesses.
• The temple vandalism came a day after a brutal assault on 23-year-old Indian student Charanpreet Singh in Adelaide. Singh was reportedly attacked by a group of men over a parking dispute near Kintore Avenue. Witnesses said the attackers shouted “F* off, Indian”** before repeatedly punching him, leaving him unconscious.
• Indian students and communities across major cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, have expressed growing concern over a climate of fear and discrimination.

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Government Response and Measures

Anne Aly’s visit to India aimed to reaffirm Australia’s commitment to protecting its Indian diaspora and to convey that multiculturalism remains a core national value. During meetings in Delhi, she discussed:

• Steps to strengthen community engagement and cultural links between Indian Australians and India.
• Measures to prevent hate crimes and racially motivated attacks, including enhancing reporting mechanisms for victims.
• Policies to counter online hate speech and extremist narratives targeting minority communities.

Aly stressed that the government is actively monitoring hate incidents, and that perpetrators of such acts, whether physical assaults or vandalism, will face strict legal consequences under Australian law.

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Significance of Aly’s Visit

Anne Aly, who was born in Egypt and raised in Sydney, is also the first Muslim woman elected to the federal Parliament, and holds a Treasury portfolio. Her personal and professional experience in advocating for multicultural policies lends weight to her statements on inclusion and community safety.

Her visit to India is being seen as a diplomatic outreach to reassure India and the Indian diaspora in Australia that their rights and safety are a priority. With nearly one million Australians of Indian origin, the diaspora forms an important bridge in trade, education, and cultural ties between the two countries.

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Looking Ahead

While Aly emphasized that most Australians continue to support pluralism and inclusion, the incidents highlight a concerning rise in anti-Indian sentiment in certain pockets of the country. Her message to the community was clear: diversity is a strength, not a weakness, and the government will continue to actively protect all communities from discrimination and violence.

The Indian diaspora in Australia has welcomed Aly’s outreach, seeing it as a commitment to address systemic challengesand curb hate-driven acts. Analysts suggest that sustained engagement between Australian authorities and diaspora communities will be critical to ensuring safety and confidence for Indian nationals, students, and businesses in the country.

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Key Points:

• Anne Aly, Australia’s Cabinet Minister for Multicultural Affairs, visited India to address concerns over anti-India protests and attacks in Australia.
• She met with Indian officials and multifaith leaders, visiting key religious sites significant to the Indian diaspora.
• Aly reaffirmed that all Australians, regardless of background, have the right to safety and respect.
• A rise in anti-Indian incidents has been noted in Melbourne, Adelaide, and other cities, including assaults and temple vandalism.
• The Australian government has condemned divisive rhetoric and is taking steps to protect minority communities, counter online hate, and uphold multicultural values.
• Aly’s visit underscores the importance of diaspora engagement in strengthening bilateral ties and ensuring community safety.