Washington, Feb 1 (PTI): An American diplomat tendered an apology on Tuesday for her controversial remarks over the radio anklets attached on Indian students of the California-based Tri-Valley University which was closed down by US authorities for alleged visa fraud. Juliet Wurr, public affairs officer of the US Consulate,  apologised for the remarks that the radio anklets look "trendy".

Her remarks that the radio anklets look "trendy" triggered a controversy with the Ministry of External Affairs lodging a protest over it.

She said she gave interviews to some TV channels on Tuesday during which she actually tried to describe the ankle monitors.

"At the end of that interview, I was asked a question about the ankle monitors that some of the students have been asked to wear and I tried to describe what they looked like.

"But what I did not do was really respond to the sense of shame, pain and confusion that people must have felt when they were asked to wear those anklets. For that I deeply apologise.

"Because I would never want to insult or hurt the feelings of any Indian and particularly of young people who are going through a very trying time now with this situation. I forgot about the feelings behind that and I think people responded when I did not mention that," she said tonight.

"We welcome Indian students in the United States. I know from personal experience how much I learnt the first time I met an Indian student when I was in undergraduate.

"Indian students bring great talent, brilliance, hard work and interest in our culture and we welcome them with open arms. We want them to have the best educational experiences that they can," he said.