New Delhi

Seventeen Indian nationals pursuing higher education in Canada lost their lives due to violent incidents between 2018 and 2025, the government told Parliament on Friday.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh provided the information in a written reply to a question raised in the Lok Sabha by AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who sought details on cases of violence involving Indian students overseas and the measures taken by the government.

Presenting country-wise data, the minister said that Canada accounted for the highest number of such deaths. According to the figures shared, Indian students who died due to violent attacks during the period were reported from several countries — Canada (17), the United States (9), Australia (3), the United Kingdom (1), China (1), Denmark (1), Germany (1), Grenada (1), and Kyrgyzstan (2).

Owaisi had asked whether the government had taken note of what he described as increasing incidents of violence against Indian students abroad and whether investigations were being pursued in such cases.

In his response, Singh stated that the safety and security of Indian students studying overseas remains a key priority for the government. He said that Indian embassies and consulates closely track incidents of violence and immediately take up such matters with the authorities of the host country to ensure proper investigation and legal action against those responsible.

The minister also noted that Indian missions regularly engage with students enrolled in foreign universities within their jurisdictions. These efforts include pre-departure and post-arrival orientation programmes aimed at familiarising students with local laws, safety concerns, potential risks, and precautionary measures, along with the issuance of advisories whenever required.

To strengthen communication and ensure timely assistance, students are encouraged to register with Indian missions abroad and stay connected through multiple platforms, including the MEA’s MADAD portal, dedicated WhatsApp groups, consular outreach camps, open house meetings, and emergency helplines.

Responding to queries on diplomatic measures to improve student safety in high-risk regions, Singh said Indian missions remain particularly alert in countries facing political instability, economic stress, or situations where students may be vulnerable to exploitation. Any incident affecting Indian students, he added, is promptly raised with the host government to seek appropriate redress.

The minister said consular support such as emergency medical aid, temporary shelter, and other essential services is provided whenever required. Financial assistance from the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is also extended to Indian nationals, including students, during times of distress.

Singh further pointed out that the government has, in recent years, carried out large-scale evacuation operations to safeguard Indian citizens caught in crisis situations abroad. These include Operation Devi Shakti in Afghanistan, Operation Ganga in Ukraine, Operation Kaveri in Sudan, Operation Ajay in Israel, and Operation Sindhu covering Israel and Iran.

“These initiatives reflect the government’s continued commitment to the safety and well-being of Indian students overseas,” the minister said.

In a separate reply, Singh informed the House that the government is aware of deportation proceedings faced by some Indian nationals, including students, in countries such as Canada, the United States, and several Gulf nations. These cases, he said, often involve violations of visa conditions, non-compliance with local regulations, or submission of forged admission documents.

He explained that deportations in many countries occur due to breaches of student visa norms, including unauthorised employment, illegal commercial activities, or other violations of host country laws.

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Sharing official data, Singh said that between 2021 and 2025, Indian students were deported from several countries — Australia (114), Russia (82), the United Kingdom (170), the United States (45), and Ukraine (13), among others. During the same period, entry was denied to Indian students by authorities in the United States (62 cases) and Kyrgyzstan (11 cases).