Violence Against Indian Students Abroad: A Grim Reality

Seven Indian students were killed due to violence in three foreign countries this year, as reported by the Indian government. Additionally, 124 students died in various nations due to accidents or medical causes. The data revealed significant numbers of deaths in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Seven Indian students have lost their lives to violent attacks in three different foreign countries this year, the Indian government revealed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, presented the data in response to questions concerning the fatalities of Indian students abroad over the past five years.

The data disclosed that 124 Indian students succumbed to accidents or medical conditions in various countries this year alone.

Singh's report further detailed the distribution of these tragedies. Four students were killed in Canada, two in the US, and one in Australia due to violent incidents.

The statistics also indicated that five students were killed in violence in the US and Canada in 2023, while previous years saw fatalities in the UK and China.

Of the 124 students who died from accidents or medical issues this year, the majority were in the US and Canada, accounting for 37 and 31 deaths respectively.

Moreover, the minister highlighted that Indian missions abroad estimate the population of Indian students in foreign universities to be around 1.33 million as of January 1.

(With inputs from agencies.)