Mohanty was in Glasgow to take an examination and return to India in early April to his pregnant wife and family based in Jalandhar. The 20-year-old arrested man appeared at the Glasgow Sheriff Court in connection with Mohanty's death.

Mohanty, 30, was walking around with three friends near the Citizens' Theatre on Friday evening when was attacked and fatally wounded, apparently with a bladed weapon, while passing a group of men and women.

He was taken to the Glasgow Victoria Infirmary but died a short time later. A post-mortem examination has been carried out and police are treating the incident as murder.

"We are still trying to piece together exactly what happened. This terrible attack has resulted in a young man losing his life. It was completely unprovoked and it's imperative we trace the person or people who are responsible," said Detective Inspector Sam Carson.

Mohanty, a student of the Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, was days away from qualifying as a sea captain. He was due to sit his final exams to become a master mariner this week.

"Kunal was going for exams as a master mariner - essentially his certificate to say he is competent to be a captain of a ship. You have to spend a certain amount of time at sea to get the experience," College deputy principal Richard Speight said.

"I have spoken with Kunal's parents and it is absolutely horrendous for them. We are offering them all the support we possibly can. I haven't spoken to his wife but she is very upset, obviously, and in a heck of a state," he said.

Kunal was a bright young man and was well liked by all the staff that dealt with him. We really feel for Kunal's parents. We will just be trying to give them as much support as we can, he added.