Russia Tops Racial Discrimination Complaints by Indian Students: MEA Data Reveals

• Russia accounts for over 57% of racial discrimination complaints from Indian students globally, as per MEA data.
• Out of 350 complaints worldwide in 2025, over 200 originated from Russia, highlighting a significant surge from previous years.
• Despite being a preferred destination for medical students due to lower fees, safety concerns are rising amid increasing incidents of racial discrimination and harassment.
• Many incidents go unreported due to fear of expulsion or visa issues, while FMG associations allege racial profiling and lack of institutional support.
• The Ufa knife attack has intensified concerns, leading to a sharp drop in Indian students' interest in Russia, with many now preferring Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.