UK favourite destination for Indian workers, students: Government

NEW DELHI: The United Kingdom is a favourite destination for both Indian workers and students, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

There were about 5,00,000 Indian workers and 39,000 students in the UK, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said during Question Hour.

As per estimates of Indian missions in 29 European countries, there were 70,248 workers in Italy, 42,500 in Germany, 34,130 in Spain and 19,250 in the Netherlands. Indian workers in Greece, Russia and Switzerland totalled about 33,000.

As far as students are concerned, the maximum number was in France (6,374), Russia (4,500) and Italy (1,198), she said.

To query regarding reports of discrimination of Indian students abroad, Soni said the Overseas Affairs Ministry has not received any specific complaint.

Soni was replying on behalf of Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.