New Delhi:In a recent disclosure by the government, Canada has reported the highest number of deaths among Indian students abroad since 2018, with 91 fatalities. Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, shared this information in response to a query in Rajya Sabha. A total of 403 Indian students lost their lives overseas due to various reasons, including natural causes, accidents, and medical conditions.
Following Canada, the United Kingdom recorded 48 deaths, Russia 40, the United States 36, Australia 35, Ukraine 21, Germany 20, Cyprus 14, and both Italy and the Philippines reported 10 deaths each. Muraleedharan emphasized that the safety and security of Indian students abroad remain a top priority for the government.
He explained that Indian missions and posts actively monitor the well-being of students through regular interactions with educational institutions. In case of untoward incidents, authorities collaborate promptly with the host country to ensure a thorough investigation and appropriate action. Distressed Indian students receive comprehensive consular assistance, including emergency medical care and accommodation.
Responding to concerns about the high number of student deaths, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi attributed the trend to the increasing number of Indian students choosing to study abroad. He assured that consulates actively reach out to affected families and collaborate closely with local authorities to address such cases. Bagchi suggested that the government would assess whether further intervention is warranted in the matter.
