Mumbai: A senior US banker, accused of uttering a racial remark against an Indian doctor following a minor traffic accident, has tendered an unconditional apology after the incident sparked protests in the city.

Brian Brown, Managing Director of the multinational firm, Smith Barney, who was accused of calling the doctor "you bloody Indian" on June 15 after his car allegedly brushed against the dentist's vehicle at Nariman Point in South Mumbai on June 26, said he "has highest regard for India and its people".

Brown's apology at a press conference in the Bank's office in South Mumbai came after BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) activists, led by party's city unit chief Vinod Tawde and MLA Mangalprabhat Lodha, staged demonstrations outside the Citigroup office. They painted words "Brown racist" in the bank's lobby.

"After getting reports of such racist remarks having been made, we took up the matter," Tawde told reporters.

He said Brown has released a statement saying "I have respect for this great land of India and I and my wife respect and adore Indian culture. If I have hurt your feelings then I apologise and feel sorry."

Brown did not confirm whether he had made the racist remarks or not.

Tawde said, "If you want to come here and do business, you cannot say such nasty things to Indians."

He said the BJP is putting a full stop to the incident after the banker's apology.

PTI