In a big relief to students enrolled in universities abroad or who are willing to study in foreign universities, several countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany, have removed travel restrictions for Indian students. According to the government, more countries are anticipated to do so as the coronavirus situation improves.
In the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan stated that the government is working to ease travel restrictions for Indian students studying at foreign universities.
The news comes months after immigrant students have been barred from entering many countries as India was hit by a devastating second wave of the pandemic.
"The ministry (MEA) has been actively trying to ease travel restrictions for Indian students enrolled in foreign universities so that they can go to respective nations," said Mr Muraleedharan.
"Our missions abroad have constantly addressed these problems with the respective countries and have pressured those governments to reduce travel restrictions," the minister added.
He stated that the matter of travel restrictions has been discussed at the ministerial level with a number of countries.
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"As a result, travel restrictions for Indian students are being eased to many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Georgia, and others. More countries are expected to open up as the Covid situation improves," he said, according to an NDTV report.
Muraleedharan stated that the government's first focus is the wellbeing of Indians living overseas, notably students. In response to a separate question about the pandemic, he stated that the government's efforts have been focused on effectively combating it as well as minimising its effects.
"India has been dealing with the ongoing pandemic through national initiatives and international cooperation. There has been more than one wave of the disease, which has happened as a result of virus mutations," he stated.
Moreover, he added, "Under this dynamic environment, the government's statements focus on India's national efforts, international cooperation, and the current/existing state of the Covid outbreak."