On Friday, July 26, 2024, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs provided a detailed account to the Lok Sabha regarding the deaths of Indian students studying abroad. In response to a query from Kerala MP Kodikunnil Suresh, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh disclosed that over the past five years, at least 633 Indian students have died across 41 countries.
Fatalities by Country
According to the minister’s written response, Canada has recorded the highest number of fatalities among Indian students, with 172 deaths. The United States follows with 108 deaths, while the United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, and Germany report 58, 57, 37, and 24 deaths respectively. Additionally, there has been a report of one student death in neighboring Pakistan.
Causes of Death
The Minister outlined that Indian students abroad have succumbed to various causes, including natural reasons, accidents, and medical emergencies. The reported fatalities due to violence or attacks number 19, with the highest instances occurring in Canada (9), the United States (6), and one each in Australia, the United Kingdom, China, and Kyrgyzstan.
Responses to Violence and Emergencies
In addressing concerns about attacks on Indian students abroad, Singh assured that Indian missions and centers have not observed a recent rise in violent incidents targeting Indian students. For any distressing incidents, Indian missions promptly engage with the host country’s authorities to seek justice and ensure the perpetrators are held accountable. In emergency situations, these missions provide crucial support, including food, shelter, and medical aid to stranded students.
Evacuation and Assistance Efforts
The Ministry emphasised its commitment to facilitating the swift return or evacuation of distressed Indian nationals. Recent operations, including the Vande Bharat Mission, Operation Ganga (Ukraine), and Operation Ajay (Israel), successfully repatriated Indian students from various countries. Additionally, the Indian High Commission has been instrumental in assisting the return of students from Bangladesh.
Current Statistics on Indian Students Abroad
As of this year, the Ministry reported that approximately 1.33 million Indian students are enrolled in educational institutions abroad. This figure represents a significant increase over the past three years: from 750,000 in 2022 to 930,000 in 2023, and now to 1.33 million.
Country-Specific Distribution
Canada remains the most popular destination for Indian students, with 427,000 students. The United States hosts 337,000 students, the United Kingdom 185,000, and Australia 122,000. Other countries with notable Indian student populations include Germany (42,997), the UAE (25,000), and Russia (24,940). Additionally, at least 8,580 Indian students are studying in China (including Hong Kong), with 7,300 in New Zealand, 2,134 in Nepal, 2,000 in Singapore, 1,532 in Japan, and 1,020 in Iran. The Ministry also noted that 14 Indian students are currently studying in Pakistan, and 2,510 are still in Ukraine despite the ongoing conflict.
The report highlights the growing number of Indian students studying abroad and underscores the Ministry’s efforts to support and ensure their safety in various international contexts.
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