Safety concerns of Indian students in US: ‘We love and encourage Indian students,’ says Ambassador Eric Garcetti

In addressing concerns about the safety of Indian students studying in the United States, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, urged students to remain vigilant and take necessary safety precautions.

Garcetti emphasised the importance of staying connected with peers and utilising campus safety resources to enhance awareness and preparedness. While acknowledging distressing incidents involving Indian students, he stressed that such occurrences can statistically happen in a country of the United States' scale.

In a recent interview with media outlet, Garcetti acknowledged the distressing incidents involving Indian students. Emphasising that such incidents can happen statistically in a country of this scale, he urged the students to remain vigilant and take adequate safety measures.
"First and foremost, any families, and I've talked to some of those families who have faced a tragedy with their own son or daughter. I mean, our hearts go out. We take the justice issues very seriously of bringing to justice any perpetrators with, you know, a quarter million now a year, statistically, this is going to happen. But that's not acceptable to a parent if it happens to your child," Garcetti stated.

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Expressing condolences to affected families, Garcetti reassured the commitment of the US government to ensuring justice for victims and holding perpetrators accountable. He advised Indian students to be vigilant, familiarize themselves with safe neighbourhood’s, and follow advice given to travellers worldwide.

The envoy underlined the importance of travelling in groups, staying connected with peers, and avoiding risky behaviours, including illegal drug use. Additionally, he encouraged students to engage with campus safety resources to enhance their awareness and preparedness.

With approximately 2,45,000 Indian students pursuing education on American campuses annually, safety has become a paramount issue for both students and their families.

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In light of recent distressing incidents involving Indian nationals, Garcetti emphasised the importance of prioritizing well-being and safety precautions regardless of the destination. He urged students to prioritize their safety wherever they choose to pursue their education. 

As many as five Indian students were reported dead in separate incidents in the first two months of 2024.

(With inputs from agency)

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