SRINAGAR: A total of 1,203 Indian citizens have died in Canada between 2020 and 2024, the Government of India informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The information was provided in response to an unstarred question by MP Sant Balbir Singh.
According to data shared by the Ministry of External Affairs, the majority of these deaths were due to natural causes such as illness or old age, while some were attributed to accidents, violence, suicide, and murder.
The yearly breakdown of deaths is as follows: 120 in 2020, 160 in 2021, 198 in 2022, 336 in 2023, and 389 in 2024.
The government stated that while city-wise or province-wise data is not maintained centrally, missions and posts abroad assist in documenting deaths and facilitating the required processes.
Out of the total deaths, the mortal remains or ashes of 757 individuals were brought back to India with assistance from Indian missions and posts in Canada. The Ministry highlighted that a standard operating procedure is followed in all such cases to coordinate with local authorities and family members.
As per the official procedure, Indian missions initiate contact with the next of kin and local authorities upon receiving information about a death. Depending on the preference of the family and local regulations, arrangements are made for either the repatriation of the mortal remains to India or a local cremation or burial.
In cases of unnatural deaths, the process involves additional formalities, including police investigations and post-mortem reports, which vary across countries and can affect the timeline of repatriation.
The Ministry also stated that the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is used to support Indian nationals abroad in distress, including for repatriation of mortal remains in deserving cases based on means testing.
The response emphasised that the government continues to treat the matter of Indian deaths abroad with high priority, including coordination for required clearances, documentation, and logistical arrangements.
