How attacks on Indians have seen a surge abroad and what do the numbers reflect
A surge in violent attacks targeting Indian nationals, particularly students, across several countries highlights a concerning rise in anti-immigrant sentiment and racially motivated violence. Recent incidents in Australia, Ireland, and elsewhere showcase the urgent need for stronger protective measures and increased international cooperation to combat this escalating threat. Data reveals a significant increase in attacks over the past five years.
New Delhi: A week back, a 33-year-old Indian-origin man, was heading for his home from a pharmacy when a group of teenagers pounced on him and attacked him with a machete in Melbourne. One of the teens pulled out a machete. The man raised his arm in self-defence and the machete went through his wrist, then his hand, and finally bone. He was also stabbed in the shoulder and back, leaving him with a fractured spine and broken bones.
On July 19, a 23-year-old Indian student, Charanjit Singh, was thrashed brutally in Adelaide. Five men allegedly ambushed Singh after a dispute over a parking spot. The assailants carried metal knuckles and sharp objects. And before attacking him, they reportedly shouted racial slurs. The man tried hard to give them a fight but was overpowered. He was left with a facial fracture and suspected brain trauma.
On the same day in Ireland, a newly arrived Indian Amazon employee was brutally assaulted by a group of teenagers in Tallaght, South Dublin. Local resident Jennifer Murray came to the rescue of the injured victim and later shared a disturbing eyewitness account. The assault, marked by false accusations and public humiliation, is now being investigated as a hate crime amid growing far-right rhetoric online.
These recent events have triggered a public outrage and renewed calls for the protection of Indians in Australia, Ireland and other parts of the world. The attacks reflect the growing hatred against Indians and anti-immigrant narrative in these countries of late. Community leaders and human rights groups are calling for urgent government action and accountability. The attacks are a sad commentary on the way racially motivated violence is taking root and the urgent need to counter xenophobic narratives globally.
In 2024, a similar pattern of attacks was reported in US as well. This triggered concerns over the safety of the Indian diaspora worldwide. These attacks involved physical assaults, verbal abuse, and targeted harassment — and most of them were racially motivated.
What the MEA stats say
According to Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) data in April 2025, as many as 91 Indian students have been attacked abroad in the past five years. The data also reveals that in the past five years, 30 students have lost their lives in such attacks. According to the data, there were a total of 40 violent attacks on Indian students in 2024, up from 28 in 2023. In comparison, only four such incidents were reported in 2022, two in 2021, and three in 2020.
According to the data provided by MEA, Canada accounted for the highest number of cases, reporting 27 violent attacks, of which 16 were fatal. Russia recorded 15 incidents with no reported deaths. The United Kingdom and Germany followed with 12 and 11 cases, respectively, with one death reported in each country. The United States saw nine violent attacks — all of which resulted in the deaths of Indian students. Besides, one fatal case each was reported from China and Kyrgyzstan. Ireland, the Philippines, Italy and Iran reported four, three, three, and one case respectively, none of which led to fatalities. Australia recorded four incidents, including one death.