Unable to return to China, Indian students worry about future

NEW DELHI, India (AA) – Thousands of Indian students studying medicine in Chinese universities are unable to continue their studies even after the countries eased the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19.

Mridul Salaria, a third-year medical student at Nantong University College of Medicine in China is held in India since January 2020, when she arrived home to spend her winter vacation. Little did she realize that stringent restrictions imposed to stem the spread of COVID-19 will not allow her to return to the classroom to continue her studies.

"When COVID-19 broke in 2020, most of the students returned and education continued through online mode," Salaria told Anadolu Agency.

"But it has been over two years, we are now stuck in India and everyone is waiting for an early return to China because our education is getting hampered,” she added.

She complained that her career was at stake, as it is now difficult to continue her studies through online mode.

"A training of doctor is based mostly on practical learning. But in present circumstances, we are not able to learn the practical training. It is making everyone anxious," Salaria said.

There are over 20,000 students from India studying in Chinese educational institutions.

Last month, hundreds of them protested in the capital New Delhi demanding they should be allowed to return to China to continue studies or to obtain practical training in Indian medical colleges.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Akshara Singh, from India's Rajasthan state who is studying at China's Harbin Medical University, said they had approached the Indian government after realizing that students from some other countries are returning to China.

"The Indian government is saying they're trying their best to help us, but nothing has happened so far," she said.

- No practical training

She said the biggest worry for every student is the practical training necessary for obtaining a medical license.

"Right now, I see the X-ray scans and other diagnostic practical activities on a video call. It is worrying me because I am not experiencing any practical knowledge through this. I don't think by learning like this, I would become a good doctor,” she said.

Ridhi Gupta, another student studying in China said many students believe that the current hostility between India and China may be responsible for their plight.

The militaries of India and China countries are presently locked in a faceoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) -- the de facto border between the two nuclear neighbors in the disputed territory of Ladakh since May 2020.

Although tension has eased after several rounds of talks, they are yet to reach any resolutions.

Another worry for the students is the latest warning from India's National Medical Commission (NMC) – the regulator of medical education – stating that medical courses taught online will not be recognized.

The NMC made it mandatory for foreign medical graduates to complete practical classes from the affiliated hospitals or the concerned universities.

In April this year, after the meeting of the foreign ministers of India and China, it was stated that "the Chinese side has expressed its willingness to consider facilitating the return of Indian students to China on a need-assessed basis."

"Once the collated information is shared with the Chinese side, they would consult relevant Chinese departments to verify the list and indicate whether the identified students can travel to China to complete the course. This coordination process would be carried out in a time-bound manner," the Indian embassy in Beijing said in a statement.

- No clarity

But students like Ridhi said there is no clarity if China would allow all 20,000 students to return to classrooms.

While India's Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to Anadolu Agency seeking comments, last week Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Arindam Bagchi, during a weekly briefing, said that efforts are on to ensure that students return to China.

"We will keep on repeating that, as soon as possible our students should be able to go back there and get their studies done...we want to assure every student that we raise this issue at every opportunity with the Chinese side and there has been some movement. Our efforts will continue until the students return to China," he said.