633 Indian students died abroad in five years, 19 in violent attacks
Aditi Tandon
New Delhi, July 29
As many as 633 Indian students died abroad in the past five years. The highest number of deaths of Indian students, 172, were reported in Canada, while 108 Indian students died in the US.
Notably, Canada is also home to the highest number of Indian students abroad. Of the total 13,35,030 Indian students who are pursuing higher studies abroad, 4,27,000 are in Canada. The second highest number of Indian students abroad are currently in the United States — 3,37,630.
Of the 633 Indian students who died abroad in five years, 172 died in Canada, 108 in US, 58 in UK, 57 in Australia, 37 in Russia, 24 in Germany and 18 in Italy.
The data placed before the Parliament in reply to a range of queries by MPs in both Houses further revealed that 19 of these students died in violent attacks. Nine Indian students were attacked and killed in Canada, six in the US, one each in the UK, Australia, Kyrgyzstan and China.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh also informed the Parliament that 48 Indian students had been deported by the US in the past three years. He added that the government did not have data about illegal Indian migrants scattered across the world.
“Reasons for deportation are not officially shared by the US authorities. However, unauthorised employment, unauthorised withdrawal from classes, expulsion and suspension, and failure to report Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment are some of the possible reasons that could have led to the termination of a student’s visa, resulting in unlawful presence and eventual deportation,” the minister of state said.
He said the government was engaged with the US in nurturing strong people-to-people ties and facilitating legal mobility of students and skilled professionals.
Talking about the growing incidence of violence against Indian students, the MoS said providing safety and security to Indian students abroad was one of the top priorities of the Government of India. Indian missions and posts abroad maintain regular contact with Indian students who are enrolled in various universities abroad.
“The 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 their associations. Missions encourage Indian students travelling abroad for higher studies to register with them,” the MoS added.
