Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Monday expressed India’s “full support” to Australia after the fatal shooting at Bondi Beach during a Jewish celebration that left 15 dead.
During a phone call with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong, Jaishankar also expressed his condolences for the loss of innocent lives in the attack.
“Just spoke to Australian Foreign Minister @SenatorWong. He expressed our deepest condolences regarding the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach and offered our full support,” he said on social media.
According to Australian authorities, 15 people were killed and more than 40 others were injured in Sunday’s attack by two gunmen.
Hours after the incident, Jaishankar condemned the terror attack.
Condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach’s Hanukkah celebrations, he said on Sunday.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families,” he said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack a “dark moment” for the country.
“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith,” he told reporters.
“At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to identify anyone linked to this outrage,” he said.
The Bondi shooting followed a spate of anti-Semitic attacks in the country.
The attackers have been identified as the father-son duo of Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram. The father was shot dead by the police, while the son sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment in hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the world leaders who condemned the attack.
“Strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack carried out today on Bondi Beach in Australia targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah,” Modi said on Sunday.
“On behalf of the people of India, I offer my sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms of terrorism.
