No Direct Flights to China from India Becomes a Barrier for Indian Students

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Aarushi Jain
Updated on Sep 14, 2022 12:26 PM IST

India had previously supplied a list of several hundred students after China requested the names of individuals who wanted to return to their studies immediately. According to government estimates, nearly 20,000 Indian students, largely studying medicine, have been unable to attend classes in person due to China's harsh Covid travel restrictions.

No Direct Flights to China from India Becomes a Barrier for Indian Students

After being stranded in India for nearly two years, China has now opened its borders to Indian students, and their respective institutions have welcomed them back with NOCs (No Objection Certificates). Most students, however, worry about the difficulty of returning to China due to the lack of direct flights.

The absence has a particular impact on students who have already got their NOCs and should be in China next month.

On September 4, 2022, the students launched a Twitter campaign to raise awareness of the issue. Alka Krishnan, a former student at one of China's institutions who is now back in Kerala, said that while universities have begun calling students back and India has begun processing visas, the cost of flights remains the most significant barrier.

In one of the interviews, Andrew Mathews, head of the Foreign Medical Graduate Parents Association (FMGPA), indicated that a trip to China, including airfare, should cost no more than INR 50,000.

Also Read: ‘99% in Limbo’, Says Shashi Tharoor for NMC Scheme for Ukraine and China-Returned MBBS Students

However, aeroplane tickets now cost almost INR 2 lakh. Given that the majority of the kids come from middle-class families, this is not an economical option. The government must step in since it is its obligation to ensure that these students can return to class. Chartered flights should be supplied for these students to reach China, just as they were for Indians returning from foreign countries under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’.

Mohammad Sageer, FMGPA's Joint Secretary, adds that the association issued memorandums to various pertinent government bodies, such as the Ministry of Aviation, about this issue before. But they have yet to receive an answer from all of them.

According to government estimates, around 20,000 Indian students, largely studying medicine, have been unable to attend classes in person owing to China's harsh travel restrictions. Following the involvement of the Centre, the Chinese authorities announced last month the reopening of borders for Indian students as well as intentions to award student visas.

India had already supplied a list of several hundred students after China requested the names of individuals who wanted to return to their studies immediately. According to student groups, 12 of the 45 Chinese colleges that have international students have granted NOCs permitting them to return, while others have begun the process.

Ridhi Gupta, a Haryana student attending Xi'an Jiaotong, has already got her visa appointment. When asked how she plans to return, she responded that there appears to be no option presently because she is supposed to arrive in China by October 15 and the Chinese government has yet to announce regular flights option from India.

In the absence of direct flights from India to China, students are considering alternatives via Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. However, they are all expensive and fraught with uncertainty.

Sushma Hossur, a Wuhan University student from Karnataka who has already got her visa, indicated that chartered flights are not a viable option. Students are summoned in batches and must go to various destinations. As a result, the Indian government cannot charter a flight.

Also Read: India Issues Advisory, Highlights Risks Related to Studying Medicine in China

Furthermore, many students claim that cheaper flights with layovers are no longer a possibility since admission into China needs two negative RT PCR test findings from the nation from where the inbound aircraft originated.

Only after receiving a green-health permit from China may students enter the country. After that, they will be quarantined, first in the city where they arrived, and then in the city where their universities are situated.

Source: The Indian Express

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