In a recent revelation, the government disclosed that 403 Indian students have met unfortunate fates abroad since 2018 due to various reasons, including natural causes, accidents, and medical conditions. Shedding light on the distressing statistics, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan informed the Rajya Sabha that Canada stands as the country with the highest number of fatalities, accounting for 91 deaths among the 34 nations involved.
Muraleedharan, in a written reply, shared that the Ministry of External Affairs has recorded 403 incidents of Indian students’ deaths overseas since 2018. Despite the alarming numbers, he assured that ensuring the safety and security of Indian students abroad remains a top priority for the Indian government.
To address concerns and monitor the well-being of students, heads of mission/post and senior officials actively engage with universities and educational institutions, fostering regular interactions with Indian students and their associations. According to ministry data, Canada leads the unfortunate tally with 91 reported deaths, followed by the United Kingdom with 48, Russia with 40, the United States with 36, Australia with 35, Ukraine with 21, Germany with 20, Cyprus with 14, and both Italy and the Philippines with 10 each as reported by Hindustan Times.
Muraleedharan emphasized the continuous vigilance exercised by Indian missions and posts, ensuring prompt action in case of untoward incidents. He stated, “In case there is any untoward incident, it is immediately taken up with the concerned authorities of the host country to ensure that the incident is properly investigated, and the perpetrators are punished.”
The minister also highlighted the consular assistance provided to distressed Indian students, including emergency medical care and boarding/lodging whenever required.
Responding to questions about the significant number of deaths, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi acknowledged the rise in Indian students traveling abroad. He mentioned that individual incidents, including cases of foul play, are addressed by consulates, with outreach to families and coordination with local authorities for necessary actions.
As the data brings attention to the vulnerability of Indian students studying abroad, the government’s assurance to prioritize their safety and security remains paramount. The revelation underscores the need for continued efforts to enhance the support and monitoring mechanisms for Indian students in foreign countries. The concerning statistics prompt further scrutiny and call for collaborative measures to ensure the well-being of students pursuing education beyond India’s borders.
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