New Delhi: India on March 10 lodged a strong protest with Malaysia over the "high-handed" and "inhuman" treatment meted out to about 270 Indian nationals, mostly IT professionals, by the Malaysian police in Kuala Lumpur on March 9.

Malaysian High Commissioner in New Delhi Choo Siew Kioh was summoned to the Foreign Office by R M Abhyankar, Secretary, who conveyed New Delhi's bitterness over the high-handed way in which Malaysian authorities had treated the Indian nationals.

"Such unacceptable action by Malaysian authorities cannot but adversely affect our bilateral relations and also badly dent Malaysia's image as a destination for IT professionals and as a country which is keen to encourage foreign participation in this and other sectors," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters.

Asked whether the Malaysian envoy would be sent back as a mark of protest, he said, "Depending on the clarification we receive, we will decide on further action appropriately."

About the provocation for such action, the spokesman said details were awaited. He said at about 07:00 hours on March 9, police rounded up about 270 Indian nationals and took 160-odd to the police station where the "treatment was rough".

On being informed, the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur quickly swung into action and took up the issue with the Malaysian authorities. By 19:00 hours on March 9, except for eight or nine Indian nationals, all the others had been released, he said adding their papers were being checked.

PTI