New Delhi: The Indian government has documented hundreds of attacks against its citizens abroad over the last five years, with a significant number of incidents reported in countries including Canada, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry of External Affairs provided this data to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
The information, spanning from 2021 to 2025, indicates that Indian nationals faced reported attacks in 36 countries and regions. Among these, the United States recorded 33 instances, Canada registered 30, the United Arab Emirates reported 32, the United Kingdom had 31, and Russia documented 23 cases during the specified period. The highest annual figures for attacks were observed in the UAE in 2025, with 12 incidents, followed by Mali with 11, Ireland with 10, Canada with eight, and Russia with eight.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the United States reported 14 such cases in 2025, marking its highest annual total within the five-year timeframe. Canada also demonstrated a consistent increase in reported attacks, rising from three incidents in 2021 to eight by 2025.
Responding to an unstarred question in the upper house of Parliament, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasized that the safety and security of Indian citizens overseas remain a paramount concern for the Government of India. He stated that Indian Missions and Posts maintain close surveillance on incidents affecting Indian nationals and actively engage with the authorities of host countries to ensure thorough investigations and appropriate legal actions against perpetrators under local laws.
The Ministry further detailed the support mechanisms available to Indian citizens abroad. Missions and Posts offer comprehensive consular assistance, including dedicated walk-in facilities, communication channels via email and social media, 24/7 emergency telephone numbers, and toll-free helplines. Additionally, Indian nationals can seek assistance through the Ministry of External Affairs’ MADAD portal and the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). For those requiring legal support, local panels of lawyers are maintained by Indian Missions and Posts, particularly in countries with substantial Indian populations.
Financial aid is also available through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF), managed by Indian Missions and Posts worldwide, to assist distressed Indian nationals with contingency expenditures on a means-tested basis. To further bolster support for distressed Indian citizens, the government has established Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras in key international locations, including Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Kuala Lumpur.
The Ministry of External Affairs also disseminates periodic advisories to encourage Indians residing abroad to remain vigilant and exercise necessary precautions. Regular Consular Dialogues are held with foreign governments to discuss consular matters and to reinforce the welfare and protection of Indian nationals living in those countries.
Beyond the countries with the highest reported numbers, attacks on Indian nationals were also documented in nations such as Australia, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, the Philippines, Qatar, Uganda, and Ukraine between 2021 and 2025. The government affirmed its continuous monitoring of developments impacting Indians overseas and its commitment to implementing measures to safeguard their interests and well-being.
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The Chenab Times News Desk