Kyrgyzstan violence: Indian embassy assures normalcy in Bishkek, urges students to take precaution amid recent unrest

The Indian embassy in Kyrgyzstan issued a press release on Wednesday and said that due to swift action by the Kyrgyz authorities, the situation in Bishkek has returned to normal.

No untoward incident has been reported in Bishkek during the past few days. However, as a measure of precaution, the classes are being conducted in an online mode.

“As the academic year is coming to a close, prior to travelling back to India, including for summer vacations, all Indian students must contact their respective universities about the formalities required for the completion of their exams.”


The Embassy has been concerned at the recent incidents of violence against foreign students in Bishkek, the release said.

Every year a large number of Indian students join medical and other universities in the Kyrgyz Republic for further studies. At the moment, about 17,000 Indian students are in the Kyrgyz Republic spread across many cities but most of them are in Bishkek.

“The Indian Embassy has been working actively with the universities and senior government functionaries to address the concerns of the Indian students.”

Helpline numbers:
Two helplines 0555710041 and 0555005538 have been functional 24x7 where students can continue to reach out to the Indian Embassy for all kinds of assistance.

“Students and their families are urged not to pay attention to rumours being spread by some mischievous elements,” the release said.

The ambassador visited the Jalal-Abad State University on 18 May, 2024 and the International Higher School of Medicine in Bishkek today and interacted with the Indian students there. Embassy officials visited the International Medical University and the Eurasian Medical University on May 21 and to the Royal Metropolitan University and to the Avicenna University today to continue this interaction with the students and to address their concerns.

Air connectivity between Bishkek & Delhi
Air connectivity between Bishkek and Delhi remains operational and flights to India can also be availed via Almaty, Dubai, Istanbul, Sharjah and Tashkent. The local transport to Manas International Airport in Bishkek remains accessible to Indian students.

Last week, India and Pakistan issued advisories urging their students in Bishkek to remain indoors following reports of altercations between local residents and foreigners in the Kyrgyz capital.

According to local media, certain hostels housing students from medical universities in Bishkek, as well as private residences accommodating international students, including those from Pakistan were subject to attacks. These hostels primarily catered to students from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

The unrest stemmed from an incident of harassment involving female students from Egypt. Reports indicated that tensions escalated after a video depicting a confrontation between Kyrgyz students and medical students from Egypt surfaced on May 13.