Indian medical students now prefer Russia over China and Ukraine

In a shift from traditional options such as China and Ukraine, Russia is now facing an influx of Indian students with over 15,000 opting to study medicine in the country.

"There are above 15,000 Indian students doing medical studies. Most of Indian students used to study in China and Ukraine. But due to the current situation, the students are now heading to Russia. The Visa process has been simplified. Now the studies are happening in English medium. The pass out ratio has increased. There are no racism here. Russians value Indians a lot. They have adapted the Indian culture. They know Bollywood a lot. The Indians feel homely. There are no security concerns," said Dr Ashok Patel, Indian students representative at Orenburg State Medical University to news agency PTI.




Previously, Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with India for mutual recognition of academic degrees, amid a growing number of Indian students pursuing professional degrees in his country. Such a mutual recognition agreement will allow professionals like doctors to start practising here without the need for further courses, he said.

India-Russia relations:
Fixing India's trade imbalance with Russia and securing the discharge of Indians misled into fighting in the Ukraine war will be among Prime Minister Narendra Modi's priorities during talks in Moscow. Modi will visit Russia on July 8-9 for talks with President Vladimir Putin as part of annual summits between New Delhi and Moscow, launched in 2000.

Modi's visit coincides with the July 9-11 NATO summit in Washington at which the Ukraine war will hold centre stage, and the timing has raised questions about the signal India could be sending.

(with agency inputs)