Government of India raised issue of anti-India rallies in Australia: Minister Anne Aly

The recent anti-immigration rallies in Australia that targeted the Indian community do not represent majority of Australian people, said Anne Aly, Canberra’s Minister of Multicultural Affairs here on Thursday (October 16, 2025). Speaking at an event organised by the Australian High Commission, Ms. Aly said the Government of India had raised the issue of anti-immigration rallies targeting the Indian community in Australia, saying anti-India sentiment was a “minority extremist sentiment”.

“We value you. We thank you. We stand by you. You belong in Australia. And so, to the people who would tell immigrants to “go home” – I say: “they are home!” I want to reassure everyone that the divisive rhetoric expressed at the anti-migration rallies is not shared by the overwhelming majority of Australians,” said Ms. Aly, who is of Egyptian origin and is known for her inclusive politics.

Ms. Aly’s visit to India came a month after anti-immigration rallies were held in multiple cities across Australia that targeted the Indian community. Following the rallies, there are increased reports of targeting of Indian community in the country through racist abuse and slurs. Ms. Aly said the authorities in India and Australia had been in contact over the incidents and said, “Understandably, the Government of India has expressed their concern to my government about these recent anti-immigration protests. …I appreciate that the Government of India recognised that the actions of this small group do not represent the broader Australian community.”

“It is not the Australia that I know. It is a minority, extremist sentiment held by a vanishingly small group in our country,” said Ms. Aly in a speech that drew on her personal experience of growing up as an Australian of Egyptian background in a multicultural part of Sydney. She informed that in July she opened Australia’s first Federal Office for Multicultural Affairs that is implementing policies and programmes to “protect and strengthen” Australia’s social cohesion.

Apart from Ms. Aly, India also hosted Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia, this week. Before arriving here, Ms. Aly was in Bangladesh where she visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Australia last week and signed agreements to deepen defence cooperation. The visits are being viewed as part of an intensification of bilateral contacts ahead of an expected visit by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to India. Extending birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, Mr. Albanese had said, “I look forward to catching up with you soon.”