Nepali students studying in India form an important facet of the enduring people-to-people ties, MEA says
The Indian Government will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of Nepali students in India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday (February 21, 2025), days after a student from the country was found dead at a prominent higher educational institution in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The incident sparked off strong protests from other Nepali students and the response from the institution’s authorities, which asked them to leave the campus, evoked widespread condemnation. Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma ‘Oli’ expressed concern over the incident.
Reaffirming the Indian government's commitment to the safety and well-being of all international students, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Nepali students studying in India form an important facet of the enduring People to People ties, links that we share with Nepal. The Government of India will take all necessary actions and steps to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Nepali students in India”.
The Government of India accords high priority to the safety, security, and well-being of all international students in the country, he added.
Responding to questions at the weekly media briefing, the MEA Spokesperson said, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of the Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Bhubaneswar and convey our heartfelt condolences to the grieving family”.
He pointed out that the MEA had been in constant touch with the Odisha government and KIIT authorities since the matter and this situation came to light while also maintaining close contact with the Nepalese authorities.
“Pursuant to our outreach, several steps have been taken by the Odisha government along with the KIIT institute to address the situation,” Jaiswal stated.
According to Jaiswal, the Odisha Police had made several arrests of the accused and cases had been filed. The government of Odisha had also constituted a high-level fact-finding committee with which appropriate legal and administrative action will be taken going forward, he added.
"The Orisha government is also taking steps to facilitate the return of Nepali students and ensure their safety, security and participation in academic activities," he said.
A third-year B.Tech student was found dead in her hostel room on February 16, 2025. Following this, Nepali students staged a protest, alleging that a fellow student had harassed her and that the institution had failed to act despite multiple complaints.
According to the Odisha Police, an accused student, identified by police as Advik Srivastava, was arrested on February 17 and sent to judicial custody the same day.
The Odisha police and local police in Bhubaneswar have also established a 24/7 number for Nepali students.
The incident sparked off strong protests from other Nepali students and the response from the institution’s authorities, which asked them to leave the campus, evoked widespread condemnation. Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma ‘Oli’ expressed concern over the incident.
Reaffirming the Indian government's commitment to the safety and well-being of all international students, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Nepali students studying in India form an important facet of the enduring People to People ties, links that we share with Nepal. The Government of India will take all necessary actions and steps to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Nepali students in India”.
The Government of India accords high priority to the safety, security, and well-being of all international students in the country, he added.
Responding to questions at the weekly media briefing, the MEA Spokesperson said, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of the Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Bhubaneswar and convey our heartfelt condolences to the grieving family”.
He pointed out that the MEA had been in constant touch with the Odisha government and KIIT authorities since the matter and this situation came to light while also maintaining close contact with the Nepalese authorities.
“Pursuant to our outreach, several steps have been taken by the Odisha government along with the KIIT institute to address the situation,” Jaiswal stated.
According to Jaiswal, the Odisha Police had made several arrests of the accused and cases had been filed. The government of Odisha had also constituted a high-level fact-finding committee with which appropriate legal and administrative action will be taken going forward, he added.
"The Orisha government is also taking steps to facilitate the return of Nepali students and ensure their safety, security and participation in academic activities," he said.
A third-year B.Tech student was found dead in her hostel room on February 16, 2025. Following this, Nepali students staged a protest, alleging that a fellow student had harassed her and that the institution had failed to act despite multiple complaints.
According to the Odisha Police, an accused student, identified by police as Advik Srivastava, was arrested on February 17 and sent to judicial custody the same day.
The Odisha police and local police in Bhubaneswar have also established a 24/7 number for Nepali students.