Parliament Question: Racial assaults on Indian nationals abroad

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3127 ANSWERED ON 19/03/2026 RACIAL ASSAULTS ON INDIAN NATIONALS ABROAD

3127. SHRI SANJAY RAUT

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is aware of alarming rise in violent attacks and racial assaults on Indian nationals abroad particularly in Canada, USA, UK, Bangladesh, which strike at India’s culture, religion and national dignity;

(b) if so, the details thereof during the period from 2023 to 2025, including hate-motivated cases country-wise;

(c) the urgent diplomatic, consular and bilateral measures taken to ensure safety, faster investigations and protection of Indian citizens overseas; and

(d) the steps proposed to strengthen safety advisories, emergency support and global advocacy against xenophobia targeting Indians? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) & (b) The Government remains alert for incidents relating to violent attacks and racial assaults on Indian nationals abroad. As per the information available with the Ministry, the country-wise statistics of such incidents from 2023-2025 is placed at Annexure A.

(c) & (d) The safety, security and well being of Indian nationals living in foreign countries is one of the foremost priorities for the Government of India. Indian Missions/Posts remain vigilant and closely monitor any untoward incidents affecting Indian nationals abroad. Such incidents are immediately taken up with the concerned authorities of the host country to ensure that the cases are properly investigated and the perpetrators are punished as per their domestic laws. These issues are also raised at the political and official level with the countries concerned during bilateral engagements and through institutional dialogue mechanisms, including at the highest levels as appropriate.

Indian Missions/Posts abroad render all possible consular assistance to the Indian nationals, whenever required. Indian nationals can contact the Indian Missions/Posts abroad via walk-ins, email, social media platforms, 24x7 emergency telephone numbers and Toll Free Helplines established by Missions/Posts abroad, grievance redressal portals like MADAD, CPGRAMS etc 1for redressal of their grievances. Indian nationals who are in distress in foreign countries are

provided assistance under Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) set up in all Indian Missions/Posts abroad to meet any contingency expenditure incurred by them, on a means-tested basis. Advisories are issued for Indian nationals from time to time, asking them to exercise due caution and remain vigilant. The Government remains vigilant to developments impacting the lives of Indian nationals abroad and takes all measures to safeguard their interests and welfare.

Apart from extending all possible consular assistance to Indian nationals, Indian Missions/Posts also assist in providing legal aid wherever needed. Missions/Posts maintain a local panel of lawyers where Indian community is in sizeable numbers.

2Annexure-A Number of cases of racial assaults on Indians abroad in the year Sr. No. Country 2023 2024 2025 1 Canada 10 7 7 2 China 0 1 0 3 Cyprus 0 1 1 4 Germany 0 11 3 5 Kyrgyzstan 0 0 0 6 Poland 2 1 1 7 South Africa 0 1 0 8 Turkiye 2 0 0 9 UK 3 0 1 10 USA 3 0 0 ***** 3