NEW DELHI: (AMN) India on Thursday demanded strong action against New Zealand’s TV anchor for making racial remarks against Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit its prime news channel.

India conveyed its displeasure to New Zealand High Commissioner Rupert, who was summoned to External Affairs Ministry on Thursday.

An External Affairs Ministry statement in New Delhi said Holborow conveyed deep regret for the hurt caused by the comments of the media commentator. He characterized the comments as culturally insensitive, inappropriate and vulgar. The New Zealand Ambassador said, it is certainly not the views of the Government of New Zealand.

The statement said that New Delhi strongly and unequivocally denounces the racist remarks of the journalist in question and the remarks are totally unacceptable to India and should be condemned by all right thinking people and nations.

Earlier, taking a strong exception to the comments, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna directed the ministry to convey India’s unhappiness over the unacceptable remarks of the anchor to Holborow.