18k is WHO estimate jhumla which has been going on for couple of decades, they are assuming 30% of global rabies cases happen in India, hence 18k as a number.
counter factual from GoI data.
307 rabies deaths in 2022
6644 of rabies cases and deaths from 2012-2022
Agra: In 2022, 307 persons died due to rabies in India.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
yes, India has a stray dogs problem. there are a set of people in this country that believe street dogs should not be culled and they should to fed in residential areas by animal lovers . it may take a few decades before consensus is reached on the way forward.