Minister for external affairs, Dr S Jaishankar asked China to consider measures to facilitate the return of Indian students to China.

In a meeting with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, Dr Jaishankar on Friday discussed the return of medical students among the several other issues pertaining to the two nations. Several Indian students who were enrolled in universities across China have been stranded here for two years now as China has refused the entry of foreign students.

Meanwhile, responding to this, Yi said that he would speak to the relevant authorities and raise the issue. External affairs ministry estimates that 20,000 Indian medical students have returned from China post lockdown and have been unable to return.

Students pursuing medical education have been persuading the Indian government to approach China. Although their universities have been conducting online classes because of the pandemic induced closure of educational institutions, students rue the lack of practical knowledge.

Last week, students from parts of Kerala staged a protest after the National Medical Commission issued a notice citing that online courses were not considered valid in India.

“Yi assured me that he would speak to the relevant authorities on his return. He also recognized particular concerns raised by the medical students in this regard,” he said.  

Also read: China plans to permit small number of foreign students to return to rejoin studies: Official