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The Indian tennis federation has questioned Australia's commitment to the Davis Cup Asian grouping after they requested May's zonal tie be moved out of the country because of security fears.

"Our basic question is... whether Australia would like to be part of Asia-Oceania or should make a request to be playing in some other group," All India Tennis Association (AITA) secretary general Anil Khanna told a news conference Friday.

Khanna, who is also president of the Asian federation, said the International Tennis Federation (ITF) should find out how many Asian countries Australia would be reluctant to travel to on security grounds.

"We feel the Australian request is unwanted, uncalled for," he said.

"Their perception differs from that of other countries. There is a general apprehension among Australians to go abroad."

Tennis Australia has asked the ITF to move the Asia/Oceania third-round tie, scheduled for May 8-10 in Chennai, out of India.

The ITF, which will conduct its own security inspection, will make a decision next week. Any appeal will go before its board for a final verdict.

Khanna said Chennai, which held an ATP event at the Cup venue in January, was chosen to ease Australian concerns and that the federation was confident the tie would go ahead smoothly.

India regard the southern city of Chennai as a safe venue, in the wake of security fears following the ambush of the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore, Pakistan this month.

The incident triggered concern, especially in south Asia, that sport could become a target for more attacks. India also remains nervous after Islamist militants killed 166 people in a three-day attack in Mumbai in November.

India's Twenty20 Indian Premier League (IPL), scheduled for April-May, will now be held in South Africa after authorities refused security clearance due to a clash with elections.

In a letter to Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard on Friday, Khanna criticised the stand while assuring full security for the visitors.

(Source: Reuters)