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Over 1,600 NRI wives abandoned overseas: Govt data
The government operates a 24x7 helpline for distressed NRI women and provides financial and legal assistance.
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has revealed that over 1,600 complaints have been received from Non-Resident Indian (NRI) women abandoned by their spouses in the last five years. These complaints highlight a distressing pattern where Indian women are left stranded while their husbands settle abroad, particularly in states like Punjab, known for high rates of migration.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed the issue, stating, “As per the data collated from Indian Missions/Posts abroad, 1,617 complaints have been received from NRI women who have allegedly been abandoned by their spouses in the last five years.”
The government has taken several steps to address the plight of these women, offering legal aid, financial assistance, and emergency support. “This Ministry, through its Missions/Posts abroad, provides appropriate counselling, guidance, and information to the aggrieved Indian women about legal procedures and mechanisms available,” Singh said. He added that Indian diplomatic missions interact with community groups and NGOs to disseminate information about available resources.
Singh also revealed that the government operates a 24x7 helpline for distressed NRI women and provides financial and legal assistance under the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF). Online platforms such as MADAD and CPGRAMS have also been put in place to facilitate grievance redressal. Additionally, Indian Missions conduct walk-in sessions and open house meetings to address concerns and provide direct support.
While the MEA plays a role in assisting abandoned women abroad, cases within India remain a challenge for state authorities. Singh clarified that individuals who leave their wives behind in India while migrating abroad are dealt with under existing laws by the respective state governments.
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