China allows stranded Indian students to return for studies after two years

The Union Government said on Friday that it will soon share a list with the “Chinese side for their consideration” and that students interested in attending in-person classes should register by May 8. Students should fill out the form as soon as possible by clicking here.

China expressed its willingness to consider facilitating the return of Indian students “on a need-assessed basis,” according to the government, prompting the registration call.

The Chinese authorities will verify the details of Indian students with the concerned departments based on the list that India will share, and will then call students to continue their studies at Chinese universities, the government said Friday. “The entire process will be completed within the time constraints,” the Union government stated in a statement.

The Indian government’s request for registration comes just over a month after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised the issue of Indian students returning to China with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. India hoped Beijing would take a “non-discriminatory approach” to it, according to Jaishankar.

“Minister Wang Yi had promised me that when he returned, he would speak to the appropriate authorities about this.” In this difficult situation, he also recognised the specific concerns that medical students have,” Jaishankar said.

More than 20,000 Indian students were enrolled in medical degrees in China, according to data released by the Indian Embassy in China during the Covid outbreak. The majority of them returned to China after the pandemic forced China to close all universities, and they have been unable to return due to strict travel restrictions ever since. They are concerned that if online classes continue, their medical degrees will become invalid due to a lack of practical experience.

Picture Courtesy: Google/Images are subject to copyright