In the wake of the violence that took place in Little India on Dec 8, the Singapore Government's decision to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol in the area the following weekend has to be respected, said India's High Commissioner to Singapore, Mrs Vijay Thakur Singh, on Thursday night.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of her visit to a foreign worker dormitory in Mandai, she emphasised that the riot that took place that Sunday was an "isolated incident" that would not affect the close ties between Singapore and India.

"We have in Singapore a strategic partnership, we are talking to them on a wide range of issues and we are going to continue that way," Mrs Singh said.

She added that the Indian High Commission was grateful to Singaporeans' who had expressed the desire to reach out to the family of the victim, Indian national Sakthivel Kumaravelu, who was killed after being run over by a bus.

His death had allegedly sparked the Dec 8 riot.

"We as a High Commission cannot ask for funds, we are not involved in that, but we appreciate the gesture and concern that has been expressed by many members of Singapore society and organisations," she said.

"We know the Migrant Workers Centre is also doing some work - Once the collections and donations have come through, we will help them transmit to India back to the family."