The Bhutanese Leading the way.
As tensions between India and Pakistan escalated, and Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks in the Indian states of Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat, which have Bhutanese students, there is heightened concerns among Bhutanese families who have their children pursuing higher education in India.
The Foreign Minister Lyonpo D.N Dhungyel said, “We have reached out to around 670 students in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh from the Embassy in Delhi. As of now there are no issues for the students and they are safe.”
Students in these states are considered at higher risk given the proximity to Pakistan.
Lyonpo said the students have been advised to stay in the hostels and not to move around. The Education Attache in the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Delhi is in constant touch with different Bhutanese Students Associations’ Presidents and members, foreign students related lecturers and professors.
“We have advised them to continue their studies and nothing has been closed as only a few airports are closed. There is no advice to come back as it is too premature,’ added Lyonpo.
Punjab and its capital of Chandigarh has come under attack with blackouts and sirens.
Approximately 300 to 350 Bhutanese students are currently studying in Chandigarh, and the impact of such alerts is acutely felt by both the students and their families back home.
Despite the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Bhutanese students in Chandigarh are closely monitoring the situation.
Among them is Passang, a second-year student at Chandigarh University, who shared his concerns. He said, “Our college is just 289 kilometers away from Pakistan. Although we’re not as close as Jammu and Kashmir, the situation is still nerve-wracking,” he said. “I’m scared, but I feel somewhat reassured knowing the Indian Army is patrolling well and we are in contact with the relevant agencies.”
Passang also mentioned that the college management and relevant authorities are discussing the safety of Bhutanese students, and plans to send Bhutanese students back home as a precaution. “So far, the students are safe,” he said.
Tenzin Wangchuk, another student, said, “We are staying alert and following all the safety guidelines. It’s a tense time, but we are hopeful that the authorities will keep us safe.”
Pema Lhamo, also studying at Chandigarh University, said that she is afraid to step outside her college campus. “We have been in contact with the Bhutanese Student Association for updates and support. However, even while I am inside my college dorm, I still fear that something might happen,” she said.
The students shared that their college has postponed ongoing examinations due to the situation.
As the situation in India remains tense, the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi has issued clear advisories to Bhutanese nationals, particularly students, urging them to stay calm and follow local security guidelines.
The embassy has emphasized its role in providing emergency assistance and is working closely with the Indian government to ensure that Bhutanese students are safe and well-informed during this time of crisis.
Punjab, sharing a 532-km border with Pakistan, had ordered the closure of all educational institutes for three days and postponed exams. Punjab Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, said, “In view of the evolving situation, it is hereby ordered that all schools, colleges, and universities — government, private, and aided — across the entire Punjab would remain completely closed for the next three days.”
In Chandigarh, all schools will remain closed until Saturday.
The total numbers of Bhutanese students in India are not known for sure, but if everyone from school to college students are calculated then the numbers could be between 3,000 to 4,000.
1,534 Bhutanese students were awarded the Ambassador’s Scholarship from the Indian Embassy to study in India for the academic year 2024–25.
Approximately 65 percent of Bhutanese students who do not get enrolled in RUB colleges under government scholarships or self-funding go abroad for their education, with India being the top choice.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22nd April 2025, which killed 26 Hindu pilgrims. The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility, prompting India to launch retaliatory airstrikes on what it said are terrorist training camps and headquarters in Pakistan in the early hours of 7th May. Pakistan claimed 31 were killed and 46 wounded and it promised to reply.
On the night of 07-08 May 2025, India said that Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India using drones and missiles.
These, India said, were neutralized by the Air Defense systems.
In response, Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defense Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan on 8th May.
On the Pakistani side the Dawn paper said Pakistan’s armed forces have taken down 25 Israeli-made Harop drones sent into the country.
Then the Indian Army said that Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. The Indian Army said the drone attacks were effectively repulsed. The Hindu paper (India) said blackout was observed in many districts of Punjab, and the Chandigarh administration on Friday morning sounded an air raid siren, appealing to people to remain indoors.
The Dawn paper (Pakistan) had news reports of Pakistani officials denying it had launched drone and missile attacks on 15 locations in India on Wednesday and Thursday.
Shelling along the Line of Control have killed at least 17 civilians on the Indian side.
Both nations had put their militaries on high alert, with border states like Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Gujarat on edge.
The international community called for restraint, but the risk of further escalation remains.
The states most affected by the current tensions are the ones closest to the India-Pakistan border, where security measures are on the highest alert.
Punjab, home to Chandigarh and neighboring Jammu & Kashmir, has seen major military and civilian mobilizations. The region is particularly vulnerable to cross-border attacks and incursions, making it a critical area of concern for both residents and students.
Delhi, the national capital, is also on high alert, with heightened security around key military installations and public areas.
Gujarat and Rajasthan share borders with Pakistan, and have seen attacks.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade in Bhutan has stated that it is still in the process of gathering information on the exact number of Bhutanese students currently studying in high-risk Indian states such as Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Officials noted that communication with universities and student coordinators is ongoing, and they are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of Bhutanese nationals. Additional updates and potential evacuation plans will be announced once a full assessment is completed.
An update is that India and Pakistan agreed to a US brokered ceasefire on 10th May but India said that there were violations by Pakistan and so empowered its commanders to respond. There is a fragile peace for now.
Thank you for the update. It’s reassuring to hear that the universities and student coordinators are actively monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of Bhutanese nationals. The fragile ceasefire is a step forward, but the reported violations are worrying. Hoping for a swift resolution and lasting peace. Please keep us posted on any further developments or evacuation plans.