Warne to defuse Indo-Aussie tensions

Struggling to end the violent attacks on Indians living in Melbourne, Victoria's premier John Brumby has sought spin legend Shane Warne's advice to deal with the tensions between the community and the native Australians.

According to a report in 'The Daily Telegraph', Brumby will meet Warne early next month.

"Victoria Premier John Brumby has booked an early February meeting with Warne to discuss how to address issues stemming from violent attacks on Indians," the newspaper reported.

Indians have been targeted in a string of violent attacks Down Under. The Australian government has, however, maintained that the attacks are opportunistic crimes and not racial.

The Indian community in the city has welcomed Warne's involvement. The retired leg-spinner, who plays for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, is immensely popular in India too.

Brumby conceded that the attacks on Indians have damaged bilateral ties to some extent.

"There's a lot of friendship between Australia and India, and this problem we've had in the last year is, sort of, eating away at that relationship," Brumby said.

Image: Aussie spin legend Shane Warne