Lok Sabha Question No. 786 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Death of Indian Students Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No- 786

ANSWERED ON - 26.07.2023

## DEATH OF INDIAN STUDENTS ABROAD

## 786. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) the details of Indian students pursuing their education from various higher education institutes who have died abroad from 2019 onwards, country- wise along with the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government has initiated any steps to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian students studying abroad; and

- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  As per the information available with the Ministry, 633 incidents of death of Indian students abroad have been reported in the last five years due to various reasons including natural causes, accidents and medical

conditions. Country- wise details of death of Indian students abroad is placed at 'Annexure-A'.

(b & c) Providing safety and security to Indian students abroad is one of the top most priorities of the Government of India. Indian Missions/Posts abroad   maintain   regular   contacts   with   Indian   students   enrolled   in Universities   abroad.   This   commences   as   soon   as   the   new   Indian students, enrolled in foreign Universities, are invited to participate in Welcome Ceremony organised by Indian Missions/Posts abroad. Heads of Indian Missions/Posts organise Orientation Programmes and brief them on challenges and threats, if any, that they may confront during their stay in the foreign lands and how to take counter active measures. Heads of Indian Missions/Posts and other senior Embassy officials also visit foreign Universities and Educational Institutions in their respective countries of accreditation   to   regularly   interact   with   Indian   students   and   Indian Students' Associations.

Indian   Missions/Posts   abroad   also   encourage   Indian   students travelling abroad for higher studies to register with them as also on the MADAD Portal so that their grievances and outstanding issues can be addressed   in   a   time   bound   manner.   Indian   Missions/Posts   abroad encourage Indian students to remain connected on a regular basis and make all possible efforts to respond to the outstanding issues faced by

them on a priority basis. The grievances of the students 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.    Any   complaint received from the Indian students abroad are taken   up   with   the   concerned   University/Institution   and   the   host Government, as the case may be for requisite action. Cases of untoward incidents are immediately taken up by the Indian Missions/Posts abroad with the concerned authorities of the host country to ensure that they are properly investigated and the perpetrators are punished. During emergencies or crisis situations, Indian Missions/Posts abroad pro-actively help distressed/stranded Indian students overseas by providing them food, shelter, medicines and ensure their return/evacuation to India as soon as possible. Most recently, stranded Indian   students   were   evacuated   to   India   through   the   Vande   Bharat Mission, Operation Ganga and Operation Ajay from countries around the world.

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## ANNEXURE -A

## Country wise inputs received on death cases of Indian students in the last 5 years

|   S.No. | Country     |   Total number of Indian students death |   Number of Deaths due to attacks |
|---------|-------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|       1 | Australia   |                                      57 |                                 1 |
|       2 | Belgium     |                                       1 |                                 0 |
|       3 | China       |                                       8 |                                 1 |
|       4 | Canada      |                                     172 |                                 9 |
|       5 | Egypt       |                                       2 |                                 0 |
|       6 | Gaborone    |                                       1 |                                 0 |
|       7 | Germany     |                                      24 |                                 0 |
|       8 | Italy       |                                      18 |                                 0 |
|       9 | Ireland     |                                       2 |                                 0 |
|      10 | Pakistan    |                                       1 |                                 0 |
|      11 | Taiwan      |                                       4 |                                 0 |
|      12 | Kazakhstan  |                                       7 |                                 0 |
|      13 | Kyrgyzstan  |                                      12 |                                 1 |
|      14 | Mauritius   |                                       1 |                                 0 |
|      15 | New Zealand |                                       6 |                                 0 |
|      16 | Russia      |                                      37 |                                 0 |
|      17 | Singapore   |                                       3 |                                 0 |
|      18 | Qatar       |                                       6 |                                 0 |
|      19 | Spain       |                                       3 |                                 0 |
|      20 | Tajikistan  |                                       1 |                                 0 |
|      21 | Ukraine     |                                      18 |                                 0 |
|      22 | UK          |                                      58 |                                 1 |
|      23 | USA         |                                     108 |                                 6 |
|      24 | UAE         |                                       3 |                                 0 |

| 25.   | Uzbekistan     |   2 |   0 |
|-------|----------------|-----|-----|
| 26.   | Armenia        |   7 |   0 |
| 27.   | Georgia        |  12 |   0 |
| 28.   | Cyprus         |  12 |   0 |
| 29.   | South Korea    |   2 |   0 |
| 30.   | Philippines    |   7 |   0 |
| 31.   | Czech Republic |   1 |   0 |
| 32.   | Iran           |   1 |   0 |
| 33.   | Saudi Arabia   |  18 |   0 |
| 34.   | France         |   6 |   0 |
| 35.   | Finland        |   2 |   0 |
| 36.   | Hungary        |   1 |   0 |
| 37.   | Switzerland    |   1 |   0 |
| 38.   | Moldova        |   2 |   0 |
| 39.   | South Africa   |   1 |   0 |
| 40.   | Suriname       |   1 |   0 |
| 41.   | Netherlands    |   4 |   0 |
|       | Total          | 633 |  19 |

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