New Delhi: Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy says every possible effort will be made to ensure that attacks on Indian students in Australia are not repeated, adding that the authorities will "pursue those responsible" for the assaults.

In a letter to the Non-Aligned Students and Youth Movement (NASYM) that had staged a demonstration here on June 18 against the attacks on Indian students in Australia, McCarthy said: "The Australian government will make every effort to ensure that attacks are not repeated and that Australia remains a preferred destination for students from around the world."

He said that the Australian government is working closely with the Indian government on the issue.

In his letter, the high commissioner also said that a "hotline has been established to assist the Indian students in Australia, staffed by people fluent in Hindi and English, through which students can raise concerns anonymously".

There have been at least 16 attacks on Indian students in Australia over the last few weeks. IANS