86 Indians Attacked or Killed Abroad in 2023: US, UK, Canada Top List

86 Indians Attacked Abroad: Minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Thursday informed Parliament that eighty-six Indian nationals were attacked or killed in various countries in 2023.

In his written response to a query, the minister shared country-wise data, with figures showing 29 cases in 2021, 57 in 2022, and 86 in 2023.

The safety and security of Indians abroad is one of the foremost priorities for the government of India. Our Missions and Posts remain vigilant and closely monitor any untoward incident. Such incidents are immediately taken up with the concerned authorities of the host country to ensure that the cases are properly investigated and the perpetrators are punished,” he said.

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The minister further stated that these issues are also raised during discussions with officials of the concerned countries, “including at the highest levels as appropriate.” He was also asked about the data of Indian citizens who voluntarily surrendered their citizenships over the last five years in a separate query. He was also asked to reveal state-wise and year-wise data and the reasons for surrender.

In another question, he was asked about the number of Indian citizens who surrendered their Indian citizenships voluntarily in last five years, state-wise and year-wise, the reasons thereof.

“As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indians who gave up their Indian citizenship was 1,44,017 (in 2019); 85,256 (in 2020); 1,63,370 (in 2021); 2,25,620 (in 2022); and 2,16,219 (in 2023). For reference purpose, data was 1,22,819 (in 2011); 1,20,923 (in 2012); 1,31,405 (in 2013); 1,29,328 (in 2014); 1,31,489 (in 2015); 1,41,603 (in 2016); 1,33,049 (in 2017); 1,34,561 (in 2018),” he said in his response.

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.

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"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.

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