In the past five years, 633 Indian students have died abroad due to various reasons, including natural causes, accidents, and medical conditions, according to data provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). These deaths took place across 41 countries. Canada recorded the highest number of deaths of Indian students at 172, followed by the US with 108 deaths. Additionally, 19 Indian students were killed in attacks, with Canada seeing the highest such deaths at nine, followed by six in the US.
The details of Indian students pursuing their education at various higher education institutes who have died abroad since 2019 were revealed in response to a question by Kerala MP Kodikunnil Suresh during the ongoing monsoon session of the Lok Sabha on Friday.
Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh provided details, noting that the deaths were due to natural causes, accidents, and medical conditions.
Following Canada and the US, the countries with the highest numbers of deaths are the UK (58), Australia (57), Russia (37), and Germany (24). There was also one death reported from neighbouring Pakistan.
Singh highlighted the government’s commitment to student safety abroad, stating, “Providing safety and security to Indian students abroad is one of the top-most priorities of the Government of India. Indian missions/posts abroad maintain regular contact with Indian students enroled in universities abroad.”
In a separate statement, Singh reported that 19 Indian students died due to attacks, with Canada having the highest number at nine, followed by six in the US, one in Australia, one in China, one in the UK, and one in Kyrgyzstan.
“Indian Missions/Posts abroad also encourage Indian students travelling abroad for higher studies to register with them as also on the MADAD Portal so that their grievances and outstanding issues can be addressed in a time-bound manner,” stated the official website of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Regarding Indian students who studied in the US, Singh mentioned that 48 Indian students have been deported from the US over the past three years.
“Reasons for deportation are not officially shared by the US authorities,” he said.
However, possible reasons include “unauthorised employment, unauthorised withdrawal from classes, expulsion and suspension, and failure to report Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment,” which could lead to visa termination and eventual deportation.