NEW DELHI / WEB DESK

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said that Government continues to closely monitor and take proactive measures to address the situation arising out of the detention of several Indian students in connection with their enrollment in a fraudulent university in the United States.

In a statement the MEA said, a demarche was made to the Embassy of the United States in New Delhi by the Ministry of External Affairs and India’s concern over the dignity and well-being of the detained students and the need for immediate consular access for Indian officials to the detainees was reiterated.

MEA underlined that students, who may have been duped into enrolling in the ‘University’ should be treated differently from those recruiters who have duped them.

The Ministry has urged the U.S side to share full details and regulars of the students with the Government, to release them from detention at the earliest and not to resort to deportation against their will.

Indian Mission and Consulates have visited several detention centres throughout the U.S. to extend consular assistance to detained students. So far, about 30 Indian students have been contacted by the consular officers. The MEA said, efforts to contact the remaining Indian students are continuing.

Indian Mission and Consulates have been in touch with the representatives of the Indian community and their associations to gather more information about detainees.

A 24/7 helpline has been established in the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. for assistance and queries related to the detention of Indian students. Telephone numbers are 1-202-322-1190 and 1-202-340-2590 and email:cons3.washington@mea.gov.in.

For those seeking legal help, guidance and assistance is being provided by the Mission and Consulates. Assistance from the Indian community has also been mobilized to provide legal support to those who seek.

The MEA said, Government of India and the Indian Embassy and Consulates in the United States attach the highest priority to the welfare of the detained students and will continue to work with the U.S authorities and other stakeholders to address the issue.