Welfare of Indian students foremost priority, says S Jaishankar

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, February 2

Amid the reports of the death of another Indian-American student in the state of Ohio—the "fourth such case within a month in the US"— the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said 403 Indian students died abroad in 34 countries in the past five years due to various reasons. 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that as per the information available “403 incidents of death of Indian students abroad have been reported since 2018 due to various reasons, including natural causes, accidents and medical conditions”.

He was responding to TDP’s Jayadev Galla who also wanted to know if the Government had introduced any schemes/initiatives to promote awareness and provide for the well-being of Indian students in foreign countries. As per the MEA data, the number included 91 in Canada, 48 in the UK, 35 in Australia, 40 in Russia, 36 in the US, 21 in Ukraine, 14 in Cyprus, 20 in Germany, 10 in Italy and nine each in China, Kyrgyzstan and Qatar.

Fourth death in US in a month

Reports quoting the Consulate General of India in New York said no foul play is suspected at this stage in the death of Shreyas Reddy Benigeri and that it was extending all possible assistance to the family.

However, the incident follows Neel Acharya, an Indian-origin student found dead near the varsity airport. Earlier, another Indian student Vivek Saini was fatally attacked in Georgia’s Lithonia city by a homeless drug addict. 

Eighteen-year-old Akul B Dhawan at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was found dead last month with signs of hypothermia, leading to worries and concern among parents with children studying abroad.

Safety of students foremost priority—Jaishankar  

Galla also sought to know whether the Government had any existing policy regarding the safety and protection of Indian students in potential/existing conflict-prone areas across the world and the number of Indian students rescued from conflict zones during the past three years.

To this, Jaishankar said the welfare of Indian students abroad was one of the foremost priorities for the Government of India and Indian Missions/Posts abroad arrange welcome ceremonies for students enrolled for studying in foreign universities, encouraging them to register with them.

“Wherever Indian students are enrolled in universities abroad, the Missions keep in regular touch with them. Heads of Mission/Post and senior officials visit Universities and educational institutions for regular interactions with Indian students and student associations,” he said.

“Indian Missions/Posts abroad respond to any issues faced by Indian students on priority basis. Grievances are responded through various channels like calls, walk-ins, e-mails, social media, 24x7 help lines, Open Houses, and MADAD portal. Any complaints received from the students abroad are taken up with the universities/educational institutions concerned and the host government as the case may be, for requisite action.

 “Our Missions and Posts remain vigilant and closely monitor the well-being of students. In case there is any untoward incident, it is immediately taken up with the authorities concerned of the host country to ensure that the incident is properly investigated and the perpetrators are punished,” he added.

23,906 Indian nationals evacuated in 3 years

Meanwhile, as many as 23,906 Indian nationals, including students, have been evacuated from conflict zones in the past three years.

“During emergency or crisis situations, our Missions/Posts abroad pro-actively help distressed/stranded Indian students in terms of providing food, shelter, medicine and return passage to India.

“Operation Ganga & Operation Ajay are two notable examples of operations launched recently where the Government evacuated Indian students,” Jaishankar said.

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