In the wake of recent incidents involving the deaths of Indian students in the United States, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti reassured on Friday that Washington is committed to ensure the safety of Indian students in the country.
Notably, there have been reports of five deaths of Indian students in the US this year, with two being Indian nationals and the remaining three of Indian origin.
Garcetti expressed sympathy, stating, “Our hearts are touched when any tragedy occurs, be it a life taken or any act of violence. We are dedicated to ensuring that Indians understand the United States as a wonderful place to study and be safe.”
Highlighting the substantial number of Indian students in the US, Ambassador Garcetti emphasized the joint responsibility of both nations to address such incidents. “We have more Indians studying in the US than any country in the world,” he said, underscoring the need for cooperation between the US and Indian governments to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
Acknowledging that tragedies can happen, Garcetti stressed the shared responsibility of both countries to collaborate and inform the public about measures they can take. He extended condolences to the affected families, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families in any of these tragedies.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday addressed the unfortunate deaths of five Indian students in the United States, emphasizing that there was “no foul play or interconnectedness” in the incidents.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “There are five Indian students who have died, including students from the diaspora. Of these five deaths, two people are Indian nationals, and the rest three are of Indian origin who are US nationals.”
Regarding the case of Vivek Saini, who was brutally killed with repeated blows from a hammer by a homeless man in Lithonia, Georgia, US, on January 29, Jaiswal mentioned that the culprit has been arrested, and local authorities are investigating the matter.
In another case at the University of Cincinnati, the preliminary report suggests no foul play, though the medical report is awaited, the MEA spokesperson said. Jaiswal emphasized the lack of interconnectedness among the incidents and highlighted the nationality of the deceased individuals. Additionally, he mentioned that the MEA is actively engaged with local authorities, consulates, and missions to support the affected families.