Over 600 Indian Students Died Abroad in Last 5 Years, Canada Records Highest Cases: Govt

New Delhi: In the past five years, 633 Indian students have died abroad according to data provided by the Ministry of External Affairs in the Lok Sabha, with the highest number of fatalities reported in Canada (172 cases).

This was followed by 108 deaths in the United States, 58 in the United Kingdom, and 57 in Australia. Other countries with notable numbers include Russia (37), Ukraine (18), and Germany (24).

The causes of deaths cited by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh include accidents, medical conditions, and violent attacks. Indeed, in addition to the overall death toll, 19 Indian students died due to violent attacks, with Canada and the US reporting the highest numbers in this category.   

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Currently, approximately 13.35 lakh Indian students are enrolled in higher education across 101 countries. The largest populations of Indian students are in Canada (4.27 lakh), the United States (3.37 lakh), and the United Kingdom (1.85 lakh). These statistics highlight the growing trend of Indian students seeking education abroad and underscore the importance of ensuring their safety and well-being in foreign countries.  

Indian missions and posts maintain regular contact with Indian students enrolled in foreign universities to ensure their welfare, Singh said.