New Zealand suspension of travel from India questioned amid fears of racist backlash

Community leader says: We don't feel like a part of the team of 5 million" when Indians are singled out like this'

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Community leaders have questioned the New Zealand government's decision to temporarily close the border to people travelling from India, and say they fear the move could prompt racism and stigma.

The question of Why India?' must be asked, and a clear answer should be given," said Sunil Kaushal, president of the Waitakere Indian Association. He asked why the ruling applied only to India, when other nations including the United States, Brazil, France and the UK had also experienced soaring infection rates, especially when compared per-capita.