External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized on Saturday that the Indian government is closely monitoring the well-being of Indian students in Bishkek amidst the outbreak of mob violence targeting international students in the capital city of Kyrgyzstan.
In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar stated, “We are closely monitoring the situation of Indian students in Bishkek. Reports suggest that the situation is currently calm. It is strongly advised that students maintain regular communication with the Embassy.”
Furthermore, the students have been instructed to “remain indoors”. Presently, the Indian embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic is in constant contact with the students.
“We are in constant communication with our students. Although the situation is presently calm, we urge students to stay indoors for the time being and reach out to the Embassy if they encounter any issues,” the embassy stated.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed “deep concerns” regarding the situation in Bishkek and directed the country’s envoy to extend “all necessary help and assistance” to the students.
“Deeply concerned about the situation of Pakistani students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I have instructed Pakistan’s Ambassador to provide all necessary help and assistance. My office is also in contact with the Embassy and continuously monitoring the situation,” he conveyed on the microblogging site.
The Pakistan embassy reported that tensions escalated following the circulation of videos depicting a clash between Kyrgyz and Egyptian students on May 13, which quickly spread online on Friday. The violence was directed at the hostels of medical universities in Bishkek, where students from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are accommodated.
According to a statement from Pakistan’s Kyrgyzstan consulate, a number of hostels in Bishkek housing students from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as well as private residences of international students, including Pakistanis, have been targeted. Several students from Pakistan have reportedly sustained minor injuries.
The consulate emphasized that despite rumors circulating on social media regarding the alleged deaths and assaults on Pakistani students, no official reports have been received as of yet.
