New Delhi, Jan 6 : The number of Indian students to Australia may decline in the coming year due to attacks on them in the past few months, Australian High Commissioner to India Peter Varghese said here Wednesday.

The envoy, however, stressed that his country was taking all necessary measures to ensure security of international students.

"I am expecting a decline in the number of Indian students. The perception of (lack of) safety may deter students from coming to Australia," the envoy told reporters here.

"We will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of international students," he said.

There were an estimated 115,000 Indian students in Australia in 2009, the highest number after the Chinese.

Varghese discounted any racist angle to the attacks.

Three days after an Indian youth was fatally stabbed in Melbourne, India's external affairs ministry Tuesday issued an advisory asking Indian students studying in Australia and those planning to do so to take extra precautions while moving around in the country.

Strongly condemning the incident, Canberra however downplayed the advisory saying the country was safe and such crimes take place in all big cities.

It reflects the Indian government's judgment, the Australian envoy said.(IANS)