Last week, five students from African countries, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan were reportedly beaten up inside Gujarat University for allegedly offering namaz, highlighting the importance of reputation. The incident, though unfortunate, underscores how foreign guests' treatment can impact a country's image. India's response, with arrests made and promises of strict action, is necessary. With a goal to enroll half a million international students by 2047, incidents like this threaten India's ambitions to be a knowledge economy and hinder deeper engagement with countries in Africa and Central and Western Asia.