Lok Sabha Question No. 5702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Attacks on Indian Students Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Tanuj Punia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-  5702

## ANSWERED ON- 04/04/2025

## ATTACKS ON INDIAN STUDENTS ABROAD

## 5702.  SHRI TANUJ PUNIA

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

(a)  whether the Union Government is aware of the growing incidents of violence against Indian students abroad;

(b) if so, the number of Indian students in foreign universities who have died during the past five years; and

(c)   the   measures   taken/proposed   to   be   taken   by   the   Government   to investigate incidents of violence against Indian students abroad?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) The number of Indian students abroad who faced violence during the last five years, country-wise, is attached at Annexure 'A'.

(b) The number of Indian students in foreign universities who have died during the past five years is attached at Annexure 'A'.

(c) Safety and security of Indian Students abroad is one of the foremost priorities of the Government of India. Indian Missions and Posts abroad remain vigilant and closely monitor any untoward incident against Indian students in their respective countries of accreditation. Such unfortunate incidents, if   any, 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 also remains   seized   with   the contemporary   political   and security situation in different countries of the world that could impact the lives of Indians abroad, including students, and takes all possible measures to safeguard their interests and welfare.

The   grievances   of   Indian   students abroad are dealt   with   by   Indian Missions/Posts on priority and are responded to almost on a real time basis   through   telephone   calls,   walk-ins,   emails,   social   media,   24x7 emergency   helplines,   Open   Houses   and   the   MADAD   Portal. and distressed students are   provided   all   possible   consular   assistance, including   emergency   medical   care   and   boarding/lodging,   whenever

required. Indian Missions/Posts abroad also encourage Indian students travelling abroad for higher studies to register with them on the MADAD Portal so that their grievances and outstanding issues can be addressed in   a   time   bound   manner. The Indian   students are   also   encouraged to remain connected with Indian Missions/Posts on a regular basis so that any complaint received from them can be taken up with the concerned University/Institution and the host Government, as the case may be, for requisite action. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has been set up in Indian

Missions/Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals, including Indian   students, in   distress   situations   on   a   means   tested   basis   for deserving cases. The support extended under ICWF also includes extension of legal assistance, counselling and transportation of mortal remains of Indian nationals who die abroad.

## ANNEXURE - A

## Country-wise inputs received on number of  violent attacks on Indian students and involved deaths in the last 5 years

| S. No.   | Name of the Country   |   Total Number of violent attacks |   Number of deaths due to attacks |
|----------|-----------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| 1        | Australia             |                                 4 |                                 1 |
| 2        | USA                   |                                 9 |                                 9 |
| 3        | UK                    |                                12 |                                 1 |
| 4        | Italy                 |                                 3 |                                 0 |
| 5        | Russia                |                                15 |                                 0 |
| 6        | Canada                |                                27 |                                16 |
| 7        | Ireland               |                                 4 |                                 0 |
| 8        | Iran                  |                                 1 |                                 0 |
| 9        | Germany               |                                11 |                                 1 |
| 10       | China                 |                                 1 |                                 1 |
| 11       | Kyrgyzstan            |                                 1 |                                 1 |
| 12       | Philippines           |                                 3 |                                 0 |
| Total    | Total                 |                                91 |                                30 |

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