Indian Foreign Ministry Urges Students Abroad to Follow Local Laws Amid Recent Arrests

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Indian Foreign Ministry has advised Indian students studying abroad to adhere to local laws following recent incidents in the United States. An Indian student Badar Khan Suri studying at Georgetown University was arrested on charges of supporting Hamas. At the same time another Indian student Ranjani Srinivasan had her visa canceled while studying at Columbia University.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that both students did not seek assistance from the Indian Embassy in the US. Suri, a postdoctoral fellow, was detained by the US Department of Homeland Security on Monday night for allegedly promoting Hamas propaganda. A US federal judge has temporarily halted his deportation.

Jaiswal emphasized that each country has the sovereign right to set its visa and immigration policies, and all residents must comply with these laws. He further stated that just as foreign nationals are expected to follow India's laws when in the country Indian citizens abroad must also abide by local regulations.