In another disturbing instance of vandalism targeting Indian diplomatic premises in Australia, unidentified individuals defaced the Consulate General of India in Melbourne early Thursday morning. Graffiti was discovered at the main entrance of the consulate, located at 344 St Kilda Road, around 1:00 am.

The incident was promptly reported to local authorities, following which officers from Victoria Police visited the site later in the morning. As per The Australia Today, an investigation has been launched.

The Indian High Commissioner in Australia strongly condemned the act and confirmed that the matter has been taken up with the Australian government. In a statement, the High Commission reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of Indian diplomatic staff and premises, stating: “The incident of defacing the Consulate General of India in Melbourne by miscreants has been raised with Australian authorities. All necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety and security of Indian diplomatic and consular premises and personnel in the country.”

This statement was also shared on the official social media account of India in Australia.

Such incidents are not new. Indian diplomatic missions and cultural symbols have been repeatedly targeted in Australia. In 2023, during Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed strong concerns over the rising attacks, especially those linked to pro-Khalistani groups that have targeted Indian temples and members of the Indian diaspora.

In response, Prime Minister Albanese assured India of his government’s “deep understanding” of the issue and promised all necessary measures to uphold peace and harmony.

The latest act of defacement has once again raised serious concerns about the safety of Indian officials and the effectiveness of security measures in Australia. India has urged the Australian authorities to take swift action to prevent such incidents in the future.