In the wake of attacks on its students, a concerned India today asked Australia to ensure safety of its nationals there and got an assurance that such incidents will not be allowed to recur.

The Ministry of External Affairs also summoned Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy to register its concern over a series of attacks on Indian students in that country.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna conveyed India's concerns to Australia when he received a phone call from his counterpart Stephen Smith who assured him that his government is taking steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

During the 10-minute conversation, Krishna asked Smith to see that security of Indian nationals in that country is ensured. He also pressed for strong action against those involved in the attacks on Indian students over the last few days.

Later, Krishna said he had told Smith to ensure that "the security of Indian students is adequately taken care of".

Smith "assured that no such incident will take place", the External Affairs Minister said.

"We are worried about the safety of Indian citizens, particularly the students," Krishna told reporters.

He said the Indian government is in constant touch with Australian authorities "with a view to addressing issues concerning the well-being and physical safety of our students."

On the regret reportedly expressed by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Krishna said he took it in the "right spirit" as the two countries have very good relations.

Krishna's comments and summoning of the Australian envoy came after attacks on Indian students in Melbourne over the last few days. One of the students is battling for life in a hospital in Melbourne after being stabbed by a group of teens.

McCarthy, who was called by N Ravi, Secretary (East), in the MEA, said his government is taking steps to stop such "appalling" incidents.

"I was asked to come to the Ministry of External Affairs to discuss the recent attacks on Indian students in Australia. Mr Ravi conveyed Indian concerns very clearly and urged that we take steps to ensure that these sorts of incidents do not occur," McCarthy said after his meeting at the MEA.

McCarthy termed the attacks on Indian students as "criminal activity".

He acknowledged that racism exists in his country but insisted that there was no evidence to suggest that the assaults on Indians were racist.

"My own view is that it was a clear criminal activity. I have not seen the evidence of (it being) racist," McCarthy said.

He said Australia has been taking a number of measures to "diminish" the prospects of such attacks taking place in the future.