India, May 29 -- India is following the Trump administration's decision to pause new visa interviews for students and exchange visitors and hopes that applications of Indian students will be considered on merit, the external affairs ministry said on Thursday.

"We have seen reports suggesting the US government's updated guidance regarding student and exchange visitor visa applicants. The welfare of Indian students abroad remains an utmost priority to the Government of India. We will continue to follow further developments in this regard," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a weekly media briefing.

"While we note that issuance of visas is a sovereign function, we hope that the applications of Indian students will ...