• Source:JND

A recent knife attack in Russia involving four Indian students has sparked global concern, highlighting the growing issues of harassment and safety faced by Indian students abroad. While Russia remains at the forefront of such reports, countries like France, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the USA and Germany have also seen similar complaints.

Surge In Complaints And Alarming Statistics

According to the latest data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Russia accounts for over 50 per cent of the total cases of exploitation and racial discrimination reported by Indian students globally, with Moscow emerging as a primary hotspot.

2025 Data: Out of 350 total complaints received from 196 countries, more than 200 originated from Russia alone.

Three-Year Trend: Reports of attacks on Indians abroad have spiked significantly, rising from 68 in 2023 to 78 in 2024 and jumping to 201 in 2025.

Number Of Complaints In Each Country

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), number of complaints related to exploitation and discrimination by students in 2025 are:

Russia: 201
France: 97
Georgia: 20
Kyrgyzstan: 14
USA: 13
Germany: 6

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According to Central data given to parliament, the total number of Indian student who had died of voilent attacks during 2018 to 2025 in various foreign universities in different countries are:

Canada- 17
The USA- 9
Australia- 3
The UK- 1
China- 1
Germany-1
Kyrgystan- 2

Academic Challenges And Institutional Issues

Russia is a popular destination for medical aspirants from Indian states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu due to affordable tuition and simplified admission processes. However, this popularity is being overshadowed by safety concerns.

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Members of the Foreign Medical Graduates Association (FMGA) report that racial profiling, verbal abuse, and a lack of institutional support are frequent. Kaushal, a coordinator for "All FMGs," stated that:

- Universities often ignore student grievances.

- Many students remain silent for fear of being expelled.

Some institutions allegedly admit over 1,200 students in violation of local regulations, only to expel them later, leading to severe financial and psychological distress.

Shifting Trends Amid Conflict

Reports from News18 indicate a sharp decline in interest toward Russian universities since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. Due to safety risks and academic uncertainty, the number of Indian students heading to Russia has dropped by approximately 50 per cent, with many now opting for Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan instead.

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Government Response

Addressing concerns in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh assured that Indian missions abroad have dedicated officers to support students. He emphasised that:

- Embassies maintain regular contact with Indian students to brief them on local challenges.

- Senior officials and mission heads frequently visit educational institutions to interact with student unions and ensure their well-being.


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