According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 403 Indian students died abroad between 2018 and December 2023. Canada, neighbour of the US, topped the chart with 91 deaths.

Prominent presence of anti-India Khalistani groups in the Canadian polity made life tougher for not just students, but also Canadian-Indians settled there, especially Hindus. Multiple Hindu temples in Canada have been subjected to vandalism. Even highly cordoned places like the Indian embassy in Canada are not totally safe for Indians and have been attacked in the past.

After it became clear that the Justin Trudeau administration is not interested in putting an end to activities of such groups, MEA issued an advisory for Indians on 20 September 2023:

“In view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution,’’ read the advisory.

In the last quarter of 2023, an 86% year-on-year decline was observed in study permits issued for Indian students in Canada.

The Canadian example shows what a government is forced to do when diplomatic efforts to secure its people go in vain. A similar advisory for Indian students going to the US could also be helpful.

Study counsellors advertise the US as ‘land of opportunities’. Surely it is, but there is also gun culture, drug overdose, mental health crises, xenophobia, hate crimes and racism too in many parts of the country. Indian students and families ought to be informed of the whole picture before departing for the US.