New Delhi: Attacks on Indian citizens living abroad have risen at an alarming rate over the past five years, according to official data placed before the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of External Affairs. The figures show that such incidents increased nearly sevenfold, from just 15 cases in 2021 to 104 in 2025.
The data, compiled from 36 countries, has raised fresh concerns over the safety of the Indian diaspora overseas. According to the ministry, a total of 302 attacks on Indian nationals were recorded worldwide over the five-year period, with the numbers climbing steadily each year — from 15 in 2021 to 31 in 2022, 67 in 2023, 85 in 2024, and 104 in 2025. The data indicates that the highest concentrations of such incidents were reported in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Britain, Canada, and Ireland.
A country-wise breakdown shows the United States recorded the highest number of cases, with 33 attacks over five years — one in 2021, six in 2022, one in 2023, 11 in 2024, and 14 in 2025. The United Arab Emirates recorded 32 incidents in total, with three in 2021, four in 2022, seven in 2023, six in 2024, and 12 in 2025. Britain recorded 31 attacks and Canada 30, the data shows.
Cases in Ireland and Mali have also drawn particular concern. Ireland recorded 24 cases overall, with a sharp rise in the last two years — one case each in 2021 and 2022, followed by five in 2023, seven in 2024, and 10 in 2025. Russia recorded 23 incidents and Germany 19. Notably, Mali recorded no attacks at all between 2021 and 2024, but saw a sudden spike of 11 incidents in 2025 alone.
Responding to the data in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the safety of Indian citizens abroad remains the government’s foremost priority. He said Indian embassies in various countries remain vigilant and continue to closely monitor the situation. Whenever attacks on Indian nationals are reported, he said, Indian missions promptly engage with local authorities in the respective countries to ensure strict action is taken against those responsible.