NEW DELHI: India and China are in touch to finalise the modalities for facilitating the return of Indian medical students to China, the government said in Parliament on Friday. Beijing had restricted travel to China by suspending visa and residence permits with effect from March 28, 2020, due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
Responding to a question in Lok Sabha, the ministry of external affairs said China had recently expressed its willingness to consider facilitating the return of a limited number of Indian students on a trial basis depending upon need. Accordingly, the Indian embassy in Beijing sought details of students who intended to return to China to continue their studies.
“A list of all such students willing to return to China has been provided to the Chinese side for their consideration,” said MoS V Muraleedharan.
“The government will continue to pursue this matter with the Chinese authorities,” he added. He also said the ministry is in touch with various countries regarding continuation of medical education in respect of Indian students who have returned from Ukraine.