AI Generated Summary
- From one case each in 2021 and 2022, the number rose to five in 2023, seven in 2024 and 10 in 2025.
- It then rose sharply to 11 in 2024 and 14 in 2025, meaning that more than three-fourths of the 33 incidents reported there during the five-year period occurred in the last two years.
- Incidents of attacks on Indian nationals overseas have risen sharply over the past five years, with the number reported in 2025 nearly seven times that recorded in 2021.
Incidents of attacks on Indian nationals overseas have risen sharply over the past five years, with the number reported in 2025 nearly seven times that recorded in 2021.
Figures shared by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) show that 302 such incidents were reported across 36 countries and regions between 2021 and 2025. Annual cases increased from just 15 in 2021 to 31 the following year before more than doubling to 67 in 2023. The upward trend continued with 85 cases in 2024 and 104 in 2025.
The United States accounted for the largest number of incidents during the five-year period, recording 33 cases. It was closely followed by the United Arab Emirates with 32 cases, the United Kingdom with 31 and Canada with 30. Ireland reported 24 cases, Russia 23 and Germany 19.
The country-wise figures reveal considerable fluctuations in some destinations even as the overall number of incidents continued to climb.
In the US, only one case was recorded in 2021. The figure increased to six in 2022 before dropping to one in 2023. It then rose sharply to 11 in 2024 and 14 in 2025, meaning that more than three-fourths of the 33 incidents reported there during the five-year period occurred in the last two years.
The UAE also registered an overall increase. Three cases were reported in 2021, four in 2022 and seven in 2023. After a marginal decline to six in 2024, the figure doubled to 12 last year.
Canada witnessed a comparatively steady rise, from three incidents in 2021 to six each in 2022 and 2023. The number increased to seven in 2024 and eight in 2025.
The trend in the UK was different. After rising from one case in 2021 to four in 2022, attacks jumped to 11 in 2023. Ten incidents were recorded in 2024 before the number declined to five last year.
Ireland saw one of the more pronounced increases among European countries. From one case each in 2021 and 2022, the number rose to five in 2023, seven in 2024 and 10 in 2025.
Germany recorded its highest annual figure in 2024, when 12 incidents were reported, before cases dropped to four in 2025. Russia, meanwhile, registered 12 incidents in 2023, two in 2024 and eight last year.
Mali emerged as an unusual outlier in the latest figures. After reporting no such incidents between 2021 and 2024, the West African country recorded 11 attacks involving Indians in 2025.
The MEA also provides assistance to Indians facing emergencies overseas through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF). The fund, available through Indian missions and posts, can be used on a means-tested basis to meet contingency expenses for distressed nationals.
In addition, Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras have been established in Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuala Lumpur to provide support and assistance to Indians facing difficulties abroad.
