86 Indians Killed or Attacked Abroad in 2023, Mostly in the US: Government

NEW DELHI: A total of 86 Indians were attacked or murdered abroad in 2023, a sharp increase from 29 cases in 2021 and 57 in 2022, as per data shared by Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for External Affairs, in a statement to Parliament on Thursday.

The United States recorded the highest number of such incidents, with 12 cases reported. Other countries with significant numbers of attacks or murders of Indians include Canada and the United Kingdom (both with 10 cases each), as well as Saudi Arabia (10 cases).

Government's Focus on Safety of Nationals Abroad

The Minister emphasized that the safety and security of Indians abroad remains a top priority for the Indian government. Singh assured that Indian missions and posts in foreign countries remain vigilant, closely monitoring any incidents and working with the authorities of the host nations to ensure that the cases are thoroughly investigated and justice is served.

"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," Singh said. The Indian government has raised these issues with foreign governments at the "highest levels."

24x7 Helpline for Assistance

To further support Indian nationals abroad, the Indian government has set up a 24x7 helpline at Indian missions and posts worldwide. The helpline aims to assist citizens in distress and provide immediate support during emergencies.

Indians Giving Up Citizenship

In the same report, the government also shared statistics regarding Indians giving up their citizenship over the last five years. A total of 2,16,219 Indians renounced their citizenship in 2023, which is a slight decrease compared to 2,25,620 in 2022. The numbers for previous years were as follows:

• 2019: 1,44,017
• 2020: 85,256
• 2021: 1,63,370
• 2022: 2,25,620
• 2023: 2,16,219

The Minister also noted that 135 countries had received Indian nationals who gave up their citizenship, including nations like the US, UK, Australia, Pakistan, Iran, and China.

The data highlights growing concerns about the safety of Indians abroad and the significant number of citizens renouncing their Indian nationality in search of better opportunities elsewhere.