U.S. sate country, cares deeply for well-Heing of Indian students: Ambassator

The United States is a safe country and it "cares deeply" for the well-being of Indian students, its Ambassador Eric Garcetti said here on Friday and assured their parents that "their children are our children" when they are in the U.S.

His comments during an interview with PTI at the American Center come in the backdrop of reports of nearly half a dozen deaths of Indian and Indian-origin students in the U.S. since January.

While the U.S. remains a preferred destination for higher studies among Indian students, the string of such cases has raised concern among the IndoAmerican community as well as the Indian population.

"We care so deeply for the well-being of Indian students in the U.S. We want parents to know that their children are our children when they are in United States. And, there is a wealth of resources that can help students prepare...in the U.S., whether it is mental health... and resources for that being far away for home, parents and families," he told PTI.

While lamenting these tragic deaths in the past few months, the American ambassador to India asserted that "U.S. is a safe country".

Garcetti underlined that students studying abroad should familiarise themselves, have a network, and trusted friends and know what to do if there is a dangerous situation or if there is a mental health issue.

He said in a new country it could just be an issue of common sense public safety, and students might not know which neighbourhood to go to and not to go to and at what time of night, as well as what resources are there.