Lok Sabha Question No. 1586 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Data on Deaths Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON- 10/02/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1586

## DATA ON DEATHS ABROAD

1586. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Government has any data on the leading cause of death amongst Indians living abroad; (b)   if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether hate crimes against Indian citizens living abroad have been increasing in the last three years; (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to address this issue; (e) whether the Government has received any representation requesting aid from Indian citizens living abroad who fear for their safety; and

- (f)   if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to address these concerns?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a & b) As per the information available with the Ministry, most of the deaths were caused by natural causes like old age, medical illnesses, etc. Some deaths were also reported due to traffic accidents, occupational hazards/accidents, violence, suicide, etc. During the last three years,   24,278   Indians   died   from   natural   causes,   1,622   from   traffic   accidents,   686   from occupational hazards/accidents, 1,763 from suicide, and 136 from violence/murder.

(c to f) The safety and security of Indians abroad is one of the foremost priorities for the Government of India. Our Missions and Posts remain vigilant and closely monitor any such untoward incident. Such incidents are immediately taken up with the concerned authorities of the host country to ensure that the cases are properly investigated and the perpetrators are punished. These issues are also raised during meetings with Government officials of the countries concerned, including at the highest levels as appropriate. The Government remains vigilant to developments impacting the lives of Indians abroad and takes all measures to safeguard their interests and welfare.

From time to time, the Government receives representations for help from Indian nationals and/or   their   family/relatives   regarding   issues   faced   by   them   in   the   countries   of   their residence.

To enable the Indian nationals abroad to make representations of their grievances, the Government has provided various channels like calls, walk-ins, e-mails, whatsapp, social media, 24x7 helplines, MADAD portal and Open Houses. As soon as the information about

an Indian national in distress is received by an Indian Mission/Post, it immediately gets in touch with the Indian national, local Foreign Office and other concerned local authorities, as the case may be, to ascertain the facts of the case, confirm his or her Indian nationality and ensure his or her welfare.

Any issue pertaining to Indians abroad is dealt by Missions/Posts on priority basis and distressed Indian nationals are provided all possible consular assistance, including emergency medical care and boarding/lodging, whenever required. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is set up in Indian Missions/Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals in distress situations on a means tested basis in deserving cases. The support extended under ICWF includes financial   assistance   to   Indian   nationals   for   legal   aid   as   well   as   travel documents / air tickets.

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