The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has emphasized the importance of Indian students in the United States adhering to American laws. This statement comes after the recent detention of an Indian postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University and the self-deportation of another student to Canada.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue on Friday, noting that neither of the individuals had contacted Indian missions in the US for assistance.

Details of the Recent Cases

The incidents prompting the MEA’s statement involve two Indian students:

• Badar Khan Suri: A postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, Suri was detained by the Department of Homeland Security on Monday night. The charges against him allege that he was “actively spreading Hamas propaganda.” However, a U.S. federal judge has since blocked Suri’s deportation.
• Ranjani Srinivasan: An Indian student at Columbia University, Srinivasan self-deported to Canada after her visa was revoked on March 5. The Department of Homeland Security alleged her involvement in activities supporting Hamas and “advocating for violence and terrorism.” They also stated that Srinivasan used the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App to self-deport on March 11.

MEA’s Response and Stance

Jaiswal stated that decisions regarding visa and immigration policies are the prerogative of individual countries, and compliance with their respective laws is expected.

“We expect that when Indian nationals are abroad, they must also comply with local laws and regulations,” Jaiswal said during his weekly media briefing.

Regarding Suri’s detention, Jaiswal mentioned that the MEA is aware of the situation through media reports, as neither the U.S. government nor Suri himself has contacted the Indian embassy. Similarly, Srinivasan did not reach out to the Indian embassy or consulates for assistance, and the Indian side only learned of her departure from media reports.

Continued Support for Indian Students

Despite these incidents, Jaiswal affirmed that the Indian embassy and consulates in the US are ready to assist students facing difficulties. He also highlighted the importance of the educational ties between India and the US, stating that India is keen to strengthen this relationship further.

“The knowledge partnership and participation of our students or enrolment of our students in universities of the US and the expansion of the knowledge partnership is an important element in our relationship, and we want to foster these ties further,” he said.

The MEA’s statement serves as a reminder to Indian students in the US to be mindful of and adhere to local laws and regulations, while also reassuring them of support from Indian missions in case of need.