This article covers Indian students in Ukraine and the relaxations offered to them after the conflict began, the Indian community, and interest in Indian culture, Hindi, Ayurveda and Yoga in Ukraine. It is based on the MEA brief of August 2024, and the figures describe the position as of that date.

Indian students in Ukraine

The brief lists education and culture among the areas in which both sides have a mutual and abiding interest in deepening relations. According to the MEA brief of August 2024, Ukraine was a major destination for Indian students before the conflict, particularly for those interested in the medical stream. India accounted for the largest share of foreign students studying in Ukraine.

Around 22,700 Indian students were enrolled in Ukraine in the 2021-22 academic session: about 21,900 medical and about 800 non-medical. Following the conflict, most Indian students were evacuated and returned to India, and Ukrainian universities switched to online education for foreign students. As of the brief, a total of about 2000 Indian students are enrolled at various Ukrainian universities and institutions.

Relaxations for affected students

To address the challenges faced by Indian students after the onset of the conflict, the National Medical Commission of India (NMC) and the Ukrainian side permitted these major exemptions and relaxations to enable affected students to complete their courses:

  • permanent transfer for Indian students to third-country medical universities
  • temporary academic mobility to universities in 29 countries
  • online classes for theory subjects, which should mandatorily be supplemented by offline practical and clinical training at the university and/or its affiliated hospital during the MBBS course

The Indian community

The brief describes a small but active Indian community in Ukraine, mainly located in Kyiv, Odessa, Kharkiv and Lviv. Most Indians in Ukraine were professionals or engaged in business, including manufacturing, packaging, trading and the service industry, and most of them left after the conflict began.

It is estimated that around 200 Indian nationals, besides the Indian students, are presently in Ukraine. The local Indian community formed an association called "India Club", which celebrates Indian festivals and has organised cultural events.

Interest in Indian culture

The brief notes a keen interest in Indian culture in Ukraine, including Indian art forms, literature, yoga, spirituality and philosophy. More than 30 Ukrainian cultural associations and groups across the country are engaged in promoting Indian art forms.

Each year, about seven India-Ukraine Friendship Societies involved in the promotion of Indian dance and culture receive grant-in-aid approved by the Ministry of Culture of India.

Hindi

As part of the promotion of the Hindi language, regular contacts are maintained with local institutes and universities teaching Hindi. Hindi faculties are present in Taras Shevchenko National University and Kyiv Linguistic University, and Hindi is also taught at Kyiv Gymnasium of Oriental Languages No.1.

Ayurveda and Yoga

The Ukrainian Association of Ayurveda and Yoga (UAAY) was formed and registered as a legal entity in Ukraine in September 2018. Its basic purpose is to promote Ayurveda as an alternative system of medicine and to allow Ayurveda medicines to be imported into Ukraine as medicines and not only as food supplements.

UAAY organised two International Congresses on Ayurveda and Yoga, one in November 2019 and the second in June 2023.

Mahatma Gandhi

On the occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the bhajan 'Vaishanv Jan to..' was recorded by a famous Ukrainian singer. A statue of Mahatma Gandhi was inaugurated at a Botanical Garden in Kyiv on 2 October 2020, and the area of the park around the statue has been named the "Oasis of Peace".