1,900 Indian Women Abandoned By NRI Spouses, Says Government

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – In a startling disclosure, the Ministry of External Affairs reported that 1,871 Indian women married to Non-Resident Indians have been abandoned by their spouses abroad. The revelation came in response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu during a recent parliamentary session.

Dubai emerged as the epicenter of such cases, with 1,044 complaints filed, followed by Singapore (256), Doha (118), and the United States (112). Other countries with significant numbers included Australia (62), the United Kingdom (57), and New Zealand (45).

The Indian government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to address this growing issue. Indian Missions and Posts overseas play a critical role in offering support to abandoned women. For those left behind in India, the MEA facilitates judicial proceedings, including video conferencing, to ensure errant NRI husbands appear in court.

Abandonment often leaves victims facing severe challenges, including the loss of residency rights, financial instability, and emotional trauma.

In the United States, the government said, Indian Missions have taken exceptional measures, such as arranging temporary shelters, providing return flight tickets, and connecting victims with legal assistance.