In a significant revelation, the Ministry of External Affairs disclosed that 1,871 Indian women married to Non-Resident Indians have been deserted by their partners while abroad. This information was provided in response to an inquiry from Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu during a recent session of Parliament. Dubai has been identified as the primary location for these incidents, with 1,044 complaints reported, followed by Singapore with 256, Doha with 118, and the United States with 112. Other countries with notable figures include Australia (62), the United Kingdom (57), and New Zealand (45).
In response to this alarming trend, the Indian government has implemented a comprehensive approach to tackle the issue. Indian Missions and Posts overseas are instrumental in providing assistance to the abandoned women. For those remaining in India, the Ministry of External Affairs facilitates legal proceedings, including the use of video conferencing, to ensure that non-compliant NRI husbands are held accountable in court. The consequences of abandonment are often dire, leaving victims to confront significant obstacles such as the loss of residency rights, financial difficulties, and emotional distress. In the United States, Indian Missions have undertaken notable initiatives, including the provision of temporary shelters, arranging return flight tickets, and connecting victims with legal resources.
