Liberian Students in India Cries for Government’s Intervention as War Intensifies between India and Pakistan, But GOL Says No Threat  

May 10,2025:

By Laymah Kollie

Chandigarh, India- The National Executive Council of the Association of Liberian Students in India (ALSI) is urgently calling the attention of the Liberian government to intervene in their wellbeing as conflict escalates between India and Pakistan.

The situation poses a grave and immediate threat to the lives of Liberian nationals residing in India, particularly in the northern and western regions now considered vulnerable. The current tension between the two-armed neighbors is the result of an April 22,2025 attack that took place in the picturesque resort of Pahalgam by a group of militants.

The incident led 26 persons dead, and survivors admitting that the militants were singling out Hindu men. India in response launched series of strikes on Pakistan. The situation is becoming worse by the day and the possibility for calm is slim as both countries have vowed to react and counteract.

With no Liberian consulate or official diplomatic presence in India, over 4,000 Liberian citizens, predominantly students, are left stranded and exposed in a time of rising regional instability. Many of these citizens reside in Punjab and neighboring states now classified as blacklisted high-alert zones, including Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Kapurthala, and others along India’s northwest corridor.

Speaking to this reporter, Korn Manipalie Kumahn, President of the Association of Liberian Students in India (ALSI) emphasized the need for government to establish an Embassy or Consulate in country for first aid measures.

 He recounted that On October 2, 2024, the body submitted a comprehensive Position Paper and Advocacy Brief to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President of Liberia, laying out the critical need for a Liberian consulate in India and emergency support infrastructure. Korn further said narrated that similar communications were sent to the Senate and House of Representatives following their high-level engagement with Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung on August 25, 2024.

“Despite these diplomatic efforts, the absence of responsive government action now places Liberians in imminent danger”. ALSI highlights the following pressing needs: Immediate diplomatic intervention by the Government of Liberia, Deployment of emergency consular services or temporary mission personnel, Activation of an evacuation and response contingency plan, Fast-tracked establishment of a Liberian consulate or honorary representation in India. “We will continue to mobilize and protect our members, but we urgently need the Republic of Liberia to act in line with its constitutional and moral obligation to safeguard all citizens, regardless of location”.

In terms of plans on repatriation incase the conflict is not swiftly resolved, the student’s President said while some of the students might have the means to purchase plane tickets through relative supports, majority of them are unable. In response, the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed the public that there is no immediate threat to the lives and safety of Liberian students residing in India as a direct consequence of the India-Pakistan conflict.

The Ministry in a statement through its official Facebook page on Saturday May 10,2025 said their assurance is based on a bilateral talk with the Embassy of the Republic of India in Monrovia, when seeking the welfare of Liberians in India.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures the public that at the moment, there is no immediate threat to the lives and safety of Liberian students residing in India as a direct consequence of the India-Pakistan conflict” On the aspect of establishing an Embassy Consulate in India, the Ministry said consultations commenced in 2024 between the Republic of Liberia and the Republic of India and the process is still underway.