**Executive Summary**
The document is a response by the Ministry of External Affairs to a question raised in the Lok Sabha (Unstarred Question No. 1218, answered on 06/02/2026) regarding violence against Indian students abroad. It outlines the steps taken by the Government to ensure the safety and security of Indian students, including diplomatic efforts, maintaining contact through Missions/Posts, and conducting pre-orientation sessions. A list of deaths of Indian students due to violent attacks from 2018-2025, is attached as Annexure-I.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government's Priority:** The Government accords high priority to the safety and security of Indian students abroad and monitors incidents of violence against them.
* **Immediate Actions:** Violent incidents are immediately taken up by Indian Missions/Posts with host country authorities for investigation and punishment of perpetrators.
* **Regular Contact & Pre-Orientation:** Indian Missions/Posts maintain regular contact with students and conduct pre-orientation sessions on arrival, covering potential challenges, risks, and precautions.
* **Communication Channels:** Indian students are encouraged to connect with local Missions/Posts through various means including the MADAD Portal, WhatsApp Groups, consular camps, open houses, and emergency hotlines.
* **Consular Assistance:** Consular assistance (medical, accommodation, etc.) is extended whenever needed, with the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) being utilized for support.
* **Evacuation Operations:** The Government undertakes large-scale evacuation operations during emergencies, such as Operation Devi Shakti, Operation Ganga, Operation Kaveri, Operation Ajay, and Operation Sindhu.
* **Vigilance:** Indian Missions/Posts remain vigilant, particularly in countries affected by political instability or economic crises.
* **Statistics:** Annexure-I provides a country-wise list of the total number of Indian students in foreign universities who died on account of violent attacks since 2018 (2018-2025).
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Students Abroad**
* **Impact:** Ensures safety and security; provides access to support and assistance in case of distress or emergency.
* **Action Required:** Connect with local Indian Missions/Posts through available channels (MADAD Portal, WhatsApp Groups, etc.) and attend pre-orientation sessions.
**Stakeholder: Indian Missions/Posts Abroad**
* **Impact:** Responsible for maintaining contact with students, conducting pre-orientation sessions, and addressing violent incidents through diplomatic channels.
* **Action Required:** Maintain vigilance, ensure regular contact with students, conduct timely investigations, and provide necessary consular assistance.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of External Affairs**
* **Impact:** Accountable for the safety and well-being of Indian students abroad; responsible for diplomatic interventions and coordinating support measures.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor incidents of violence, provide necessary resources to Missions/Posts, and conduct evacuation operations as required.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of External Affairs: The primary government body responsible for addressing violence against Indian students abroad.
Indian Missions/Posts: Indian Embassies and Consulates abroad, crucial for the safety and support of Indian students.
Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF): The fund utilized to support Indian nationals abroad, including students, during emergencies.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1218
ANSWERED ON- 06/02/2026
VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIAN STUDENTS ABROAD
1218. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is aware of the rising incidents of violence
against Indian students abroad, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any timely investigation has been conducted in this regard, if so,
the details thereof;
(c) the diplomatic steps taken by the Government to enhance safety and
mitigate risk for students in high-risk countries;
(d) whether the Government maintains any helpline number to make
complaints in case of distress abroad; and
(e) whether any pre-orientation sessions have been conducted by Indian
embassies abroad, raising awareness about safety and emergency
procedures, if so, the details thereof?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to e) The country-wise list of the total number of Indian students in
foreign Universities who had died on account of violent attacks since 2018 is
attached at Annexure-I.
The Government accords high priority to safety and security of Indian
students abroad and monitors incidents of violence against them. Violent
and untoward incidents against them are immediately taken up by the Indian
Missions/Posts abroad with the concerned authorities of the host country to
ensure that they are properly investigated and the perpetrators are
punished.
Indian Missions/Posts also take steps to maintain regular contact with Indian
students enrolled in foreign universities in their jurisdictions and conduct
pre-orientation sessions with them upon their arrival in foreign lands to brief
them on potential challenges, risks, and precautions to be taken while
studying overseas, including issue of advisories from time to time.
With the view to ensuring effective communication and timely support,
Indian students are encouraged to connect with the local Indian
Missions/Posts through various means, including the MADAD Portal of this
2Ministry, WhatsApp Groups created specifically for Indian students, Consular
Camps, Open Houses, emergency hotlines etc.
Indian Missions/Posts also remain vigilant, particularly in countries affected
by political instability, economic crises, and where the risks of students
being misled or exploited may be higher. Any incident affecting Indian
students are immediately raised with host Governments to ensure their
safety and appropriate redressal. Consular assistance, including emergency
medical support, temporary accommodation, and other essential services, is
extended whenever needed. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is
utilised to support Indian nationals, including students, in times of distress
and extend assistance when necessary.
During emergencies, Government of India has undertaken large-scale
evacuation operations to protect and bring home Indian nationals, including
students. Notable recent evacuation operations include Operation Devi
Shakti (Afghanistan), Operation Ganga (Ukraine), Operation Kaveri (Sudan),
Operation Ajay (Israel) and Operation Sindhu (Israel and Iran). These efforts
demonstrate Government of India's unwavering commitment to ensuring the
safety and well-being of Indian students abroad and towards protecting them
from miscreants and unsafe security situations.
3Annexure-I
Deaths of Indian Students due to violent attacks (2018-2025)
S.No. Name of the country No. of deaths due to violent attacks
1. Australia 3
2. Canada 17
3. China 1
4. Denmark 1
5. Germany 1
6. Grenada 1
7. Kyrgyzstan 2
8. USA 9
9. UK 1
*****
4