Indian Ministry of External Affairs Urges Compliance with U.S. Laws for Students

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stresses that Indian students in the U.S. must comply with local laws. Following legal actions against Indian students involved in pro-Palestinian activism, the Indian government is prepared to assist those in difficulty. Recent deportation threats have raised safety concerns among the Indian student community in the U.S., amidst broader geopolitical tensions.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India emphasized the necessity for Indian students in the United States to adhere to local laws following recent incidents involving Indian nationals. A postdoctoral fellow, Badar Khan Suri, and student Ranjani Srinivasan faced legal troubles linked to their support for Palestinian causes. The Indian embassy and consulates are positioned to assist students encountering difficulties, although Suri and Srinivasan did not request aid from them.

Badar Khan Suri was detained in Arlington, Virginia, by the Department of Homeland Security, allegedly for endorsing Palestinian activities. This occurred shortly after Ranjani Srinivasan departed to Canada after being accused of involvement with Hamas. The spokesperson for MEA, Randhir Jaiswal, clarified that adherence to local laws is expected from Indian nationals abroad, just as India expects from foreign nationals on its soil.

Jaiswal stated that the Indian government was unaware of Srinivasan’s attempt to contact the embassy regarding her situation, highlighting that the first confirmation of her departure came from media reports. Despite this, Srinivasan has publicly claimed she seeks assistance from Indian officials and has denied any engagement in protests or activities advocating for Hamas.

The spokesperson also discussed the increasing number of Indian students in the U.S. and India’s intention to strengthen educational ties with the country. Presently, there are approximately 300,000 Indian students in the U.S., predominantly in STEM graduate programs, significantly contributing to the U.S. economy. The MEA reassured that the Indian embassy and consulates would continue to support the well-being and safety of all students abroad.

The actions taken against Suri and Srinivasan are part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on individuals perceived as supporting Palestinian causes. On a recent Thursday, a U.S. district court judge halted Suri’s deportation, following accusations that he was disseminating propaganda and had ties to terrorism—claims that he and his attorney have vehemently denied. Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles specified that Suri cannot be removed from the U.S. unless a different court order is presented.

In summary, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated the importance of compliance with local laws for Indian students in the United States, following serious legal issues faced by two students linked to Palestinian support. The Indian government stands ready to assist all students experiencing challenges while reinforcing its commitment to enhancing educational ties with the United States. The ongoing legal scrutiny reflects the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding activism related to Palestinian causes.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com