Sat Mar 22 03:55:16 UTC 2025: ## India Urges Students in US to Obey Laws Following Deportation Cases
**New Delhi, India** – The Indian government has issued a statement urging its citizens studying in the United States to adhere to American laws, following the recent arrests and deportations of two Indian students. The statement comes after the arrest of Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, accused of spreading Hamas propaganda, and the self-deportation of Ranjini Srinivasan, a Columbia University doctoral student, whose visa was revoked for alleged participation in pro-Palestine protests.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that neither student sought assistance from Indian embassies in the US. While Jaiswal emphasized that visa and immigration matters are within the US’s sovereign jurisdiction, he reiterated the Indian government’s expectation that its citizens abroad comply with local laws. He also assured Indian students in the US of consular support should they encounter difficulties.
Suri’s arrest, linked to allegations of Hamas support, has been met with a court order temporarily blocking his deportation. Srinivasan, facing similar accusations, proactively self-deported to Canada using a mobile app. These cases highlight a broader US crackdown on pro-Palestine activism on campuses, a policy initiated under the Trump administration that has created anxieties among students regarding their residency permits. The Indian government, while acknowledging the US’s right to enforce its laws, stressed its commitment to supporting its students’ well-being and safety in the US.
First Piper 