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India’s Global Reach Through Its Diaspora

India’s Global Reach Through Its Diaspora

This content is based on the editorial “How Indian diaspora can contribute to Viksit Bharat” published in Hindustan Times on 08/01/2025. It emphasizes the significance of the Indian diaspora and how it contributes to India’s global stature and domestic development, especially in light of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2025, hosted by Odisha.

Why in News?

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2025 is being held in Odisha, focusing on the contributions of the Indian diaspora toward realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
  • With over 35 million Indians living abroad, the diaspora serves as a crucial bridge in fostering economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties between India and the world.
  • Discussions at the event have highlighted remittance inflows, diaspora’s role in advancing soft power, and India’s robust crisis management during global emergencies.

Key Points to Know for Competitive Exams

Who Constitutes the Indian Diaspora?

  • Indian Diaspora: Refers to individuals of Indian origin residing outside India, including both Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs).
  • Categories:
    • NRIs: Indian citizens living abroad temporarily for purposes like work or education.
    • PIOs: Foreign citizens of Indian ancestry with cultural and historical ties to India.
    • Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs): Individuals with foreign citizenship granted specific privileges by India through the OCI card (e.g., visa-free travel and property ownership).
  • Fact: As per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) (Nov 2024), the Indian diaspora totals 35,421,987, with the largest populations in:
    • USA:4 million.
    • UAE:6 million.
    • Malaysia:9 million.

Economic Significance of the Diaspora

  • Remittance Inflows:
    • India received $129.1 billion in remittances in 2024, the highest globally and constituting 3% of global remittances.
    • This contributed to 3% of India’s GDP, supporting consumption expenditure and boosting investments.
  • Diaspora’s Role in India’s Economy:
    • Acts as a catalyst for international trade, connecting Indian enterprises with global markets.
    • Promotes foreign investments and technological collaborations in sectors like IT, healthcare, and startups.

Cultural and Diplomatic Contributions

  • Cultural Ambassadors:
    • Promotes Indian traditions, festivals, art, and heritage globally.
    • Examples: Diwali recognized as a holiday in multiple US states; increasing global popularity of yoga, Bollywood, and Indian cuisine.
  • Diplomatic Role:
    • Influences bilateral relations by holding key positions in host countries.
    • Indian-origin professionals have been pivotal in shaping trade agreements like the India-UK Free Trade Agreement.

Knowledge and Innovation

  • Global Leadership: Indian-origin CEOs lead major companies like Google, Microsoft, and Adobe.
  • Reverse Brain Gain:
    • Skilled members returning to India contribute to R&D, particularly in sectors like biotechnology, engineering, and information technology.
    • Programs like the Ramanujan Fellowship and Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship attract researchers back to India.

Government Initiatives for Diaspora Engagement

  • Welfare and Employment Support:
    • E-Migrate Portal: Ensures transparent and safe overseas recruitment.
    • Madad Portal: Grievance redressal for Indians abroad.
    • Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana: Insurance scheme offering 10 lakh coverage for emigrant workers.
  • Cultural Programs:
    • Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI): Grants lifelong visa-free travel, property ownership rights, and access to Indian institutions.
    • Bharat Ko Jaaniye Quiz: Online quiz fostering awareness of India’s heritage among diaspora youth.
  • Academic and Research Initiatives:
    • VAJRA Faculty Scheme: Encourages overseas scientists to collaborate with Indian institutions.
    • Biomedical Research Career Program (BRCP): Supports biomedical and public health research in India.
  • Community Support:
    • Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF): Provides emergency aid, including legal assistance and repatriation.

India’s Crisis Management and Evacuations

  • India has showcased its robust crisis management capabilities through large-scale evacuations:
    • Operation Ganga (2022): Evacuation from Ukraine.
    • Operation Kaveri (2023): Rescue from Sudan.
    • Operation Rahat (2015): Yemen evacuation.
    • Operation Devi Shakti (2021): Evacuation from Afghanistan.

Challenges Facing the Indian Diaspora

  • Economic Issues:
    • Job insecurity in Gulf nations due to fluctuating oil prices.
    • Underemployment in low-skilled jobs despite potential.
  • Social and Cultural Concerns:
    • Balancing integration with cultural preservation.
    • Facing racism and xenophobia in host countries.
  • Political and Legal Barriers:
    • Stricter immigration laws in countries like the US and UK.
    • Challenges in addressing property disputes and marital issues for overseas Indians.
  • Engagement Barriers:
    • Lack of awareness about diaspora-centric schemes.
    • Complex bureaucratic procedures.

Way Forward

  • Economic Strategies:
    • Enhance skill-building programs tailored for global job markets.
    • Encourage diaspora investments by simplifying tax and regulatory frameworks.
  • Cultural Integration:
    • Organize Indian festivals abroad and teach Indian languages to diaspora children.
  • Policy Reforms:
    • Simplify NRI voting mechanisms.
    • Provide additional privileges to OCIs, including local governance participation.
  • Strengthening Support Mechanisms:
    • Expand ICWF to offer mental health and repatriation assistance.
    • Use digital platforms for seamless diaspora engagement.

Conclusion

The Indian diaspora is a cornerstone of India’s global influence, contributing significantly to its economy, culture, and diplomacy. By leveraging this resource through effective policies and initiatives, India can strengthen its global stature and achieve mutual prosperity with its diaspora communities. Events like Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 underscore the importance of these connections, marking a path toward a more interconnected and developed India.

Keywords Explained:

  • Non-Resident Indians (NRIs): Indian citizens temporarily living abroad for work or education.
  • Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs): Foreign nationals of Indian origin granted specific privileges.
  • Remittances: Funds sent by overseas workers to their home country, contributing to GDP.
  • Soft Power: The ability to influence others through cultural and ideological appeal rather than coercion.
  • Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF): Emergency aid fund for Indians abroad.

 

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