To the Point

ROLE OF INDIAN DIASPORA

 What is Diaspora?
 The Diaspora encompasses a group of people who can either trace their origins to India or who are
Indian citizens living abroad, either temporarily or permanently.

 Indian Diaspora
 17.5 million strong Indian diaspora over 100 countries includes :
 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs),
 Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and
 Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).

PIO and OCI card holders were merged under OCI category in 2015.
Diaspora in numbers
 The International Migration Report, 2019 declares Indian diaspora to be world's largest ( 17.5 million):

 In the Arab Gulf states alone, the number of Indians was estimated at around 8.5 million.

 USA – 4.4 million (1.3 % of American population)

 In Canada Indian Diaspora--3% of its population.

 Nearly 7 lakhs— is the fastest growing in Australia 2.8% of Australia’s population

 1.5 million strong Indian diaspora in UK contributes around 6 percent to UK's GDP.

 100,000 Indians living permanently in the Nordic region—Sweden

Considering the size of Indian diaspora it is aptly mentioned that the ‘sun never sets in the Indian
diaspora’.
 History and
Evolution
Ø Girmityas or Jahajis
Indian example of Ø Descendants of indentured Indian labourers.
large scale migration Ø Brought to Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, East Africa,
began during the Caribbean and South America (Trinidad and Tobago,
Guyana and Suriname)
British rule as
Ø To work on sugarcane plantations
indentured labourers
Ø The term Girmitiya was coined by Mahatma Gandhi
to former colonies like who referred to himself as first Girmitiya.
Fiji, Kenya and
Malaysia (also known
as Girmitiya people).
 Evolution of the Diaspora policy

 Nehruvian phase
 India opted for a policy of distancing itself from the
Diaspora, given its economic status and apprehension
that its interference could offend host countries. The
Diaspora policy was limited to cultural and humanitarian
dimensions.

 Addressing the Lok Sabha in 1957, Nehru said about the

diaspora, “We want to have no vested interests at the
expense of the population of those countries…if they
adopt the nationality of that country we have no concern
with them. There may be sentimental concerns but
politically they cease to be Indian nationals.”

 The Nehruvian trend was continued and extended to till

late 80s.
Mobilisation of the Indian diaspora began during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi:

Rajiv Gandhi was the first Prime Minister who changed the diaspora policy by inviting
Indians abroad, to participate in nation-building

Sam Pitroda, who was entrusted with the task of modernising telecommunications in
India.  Grievances like red tape, multiple clearances, distrust of government in
fulfilling promises were addressed through hesitant reforms and promotional
measures.
In 1987 when Sitiveni Rabuka ousted an Fiji Indian majority government in Fiji . Rajiv
Gandhi, in a major departure from established policy, protested vehemently,
imposed trade sanctions against Fiji, got it expelled from the Commonwealth and
raised the issue at the United Nations  Energised the Indian diaspora, generating
faith in them that India would not be a silent witness, as it was in the past, to
discrimination, racism and disenfranchisement of Indians abroad.
 After the end of cold war, the emergence of a multipole centric foreign policy, structural shift in the
global economy and India’s economic reforms based on Liberalization, Privatization & globalization
allowed Indian government to change its outlook towards Diaspora and reviewed its diaspora policy.

 Atal Bihari Vajpayee led government saw the long-terms strategic value of the engagement when he
called for ‘partnership among all children of mother India’.

 In response to the growing Indian diaspora, the government established the Ministry of Overseas
Indian Affairs in 2004.
Modi Doctrine on Diaspora :

 PM Modi made the diaspora a centrepiece of his foreign policy .

 Prime minister Modi calls Indian diaspora as

 our 'Rashtradoots’
 the informal and permamnent ‘ambassadors’ for India.

He addressed Indian diaspora in different parts of the world from Madison Square, New York to Kigali,
Rwanda, Houston.

 Modi Doctrine on Diaspora is often described in terms of 3 Cs:

 ‘connect with India’;
 ‘celebrating cultural heritage; and
 ‘contribute’

 Relaxation of the visa norms for the overseas communities, merger of OCI + POI , improving physical
connectivity and the Ease of Doing Business have been the policy consequences of Modi’s intensive
outreach to the diaspora.
Significance of Diaspora
Paramjit Sahai in his book ‘Indian Cultural Diplomacy: Celebrating Pluralism in a
Globalised World’ writes how country’s foreign policy ‘rests upon four inter-linked pillars:
1. economic diplomacy,
2. peace diplomacy,
3. environmental diplomacy and
4. diaspora policy’.
 Building translational networks: The Diaspora provides important links not only emotional, but also
cultural, social, and political. For example Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and Portugese Prime
Minister Antonio Costa are of Indian origin.

 Lobbying for India: The educated Indian diaspora are politically influential in their country of
residence.Act as Informal Ambassadors and help cultivate soft power . Lobby for Indian interests
 Examples - In USA - Indian community lobbied for support - during Kargil war,1998 Pokhran
Nuclear tests and Civil Nuclear deal

 Defence and security goals: Groups like the United States India Political Action Committee (USINPAC),
Friends of India, Canada India Foundation (CIF) and Canada India Business Council (CIBC), are
actively pushing for India's interests.

 Messenger of India’s soft power: Yoga, Bollywood, Indian cuisine among others is famous across the
world.
 Recovering artefacts: For example- The Indian Pride Project successfully lobbied to bring back the
Nataraja from Australia, and sandstone Yakshi from the United States.

 Source of Capital and Investment - Diaspora’s motives to invest in India are in contrast to non-
diaspora FDI. Their investments are long lasting as many of them wish to establish a long-term
base in India.

 Remittances - According to Global Migration Report 2020 , India recieves highest remittance of
$78.6 billion from Indians living abroad .

 The migration of less-skilled labour (especially to West Asia) has also helped in bringing down
disguised unemployment in India.
Challenges faced by Indian Diaspora:
 The Diaspora have been critical of bureaucratic procedures and slow pace of economic reform.

 Racism - Rising incidence of hate speech and crimes against Indian Diaspora by the locals due to
racism, communalism emboldened by coming of ultra nationalist and far right governments in
many countries.

 Increasing anti globalization has resulted in stricter visa rules in many countries including USA,
Australia etc.

 Conflicts - Sectarian crisis, terrorist activities and war in the Middle East countries leave our
diaspora vulnerable to attacks.
 Adverse local laws to encourage more employment from locals such as Nitaqat Law of Saudi
Arabia (mandates one local to be hired in place of 10 migrants).

 Brain Drain results in substantial drop in the supply of professionals for running institutions
and organisations in India.

 Money laundering and insurgent activities are sometimes promoted by the money coming as
remittances. Example - Khalistan movement, Kashmir
Challenges for Indian Government?
1. The diaspora engagement is yet to produce desired results in the form of large investments and
economic participation of the diaspora in India’s economic participation of the diaspora in India’s
initiatives like ‘Make in India’.

2. Broad coverage - The policy is slanted towards engaging the diaspora in the West, especially USA.

3. Diverse nature of the diaspora - Heterogeneous in social, economic and demographic characteristics .
Specific challenges are expected to arise in Middle East, where a large section of the Indian diaspora is
often under stress due to difficult working conditions , sudden lay-offs , confiscation of visas.

4. Objectives/priorities – whether diaspora is being seen from a political objectives for mobilisation of
financial resources or for their greater participation in Indian political and economic affairs.
What should be done?
High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora, 2000
under the Chairmanship of Dr. L M Singhvi
The Committee has recommended to the Government that dual citizenship should be permitted to foreign
citizens of Indian descent settled in certain countries, within the rubric of the Citizenship Act,1955.

A clearly defined Diaspora policy ,suitably calibrated with country-specific plans.

Welfare of Indian Women married to NRIs/PIOs - A special cell should be created for free legal counselling
for the families of girls contemplating marriage to NRIs/PIOs. An affidavit stating his current marital status
should be a mandatory pre-requisite to the issuance of a marriage registration certificate.
Problems of Overseas Indian Labour –

Establishing a welfare fund for repatriated overseas workers in distress;

Negotiating a Standard Labour Export Agreement' with the host countries;

Monitoring and supervision of both the employment contracts, and the conditions of our
overseas workers by our Missions;

Launching compulsory insurance schemes covering the risks faced by our overseas workers;

Establishing mechanisms for pre-departure counselling and the provision of legal assistance
locally, instituting training programmes for human resource development and skills
upgradation;
Economic Development (Investment, International Trade, Industrial Development And Tourism) -Special
measures should be devised to facilitate the involvement of the Diaspora with India in this sector. Suitable
mechanisms should be devised to avail of such expertise.

Government should also consider setting up Special Economic Zones, exclusively for projects to be set
up by NRIs/PIOs.

A dedicated single-window set-up, which would provide consultancy services for overseas Indian
investors .

Indian banks should make a special arrangements to facilitate payments in rupees against incoming
foreign exchange.

Extending fiscal incentives, such as reducing corporate tax rates to levels at or below competitive
international levels, removing restrictions on repatriation of profits and eliminating needless
licensing requirements would be extremely useful in attracting investment.
Tourism -There should be greater focus on promoting tourism among 2nd generation PIOs. Special tour
packages, pilgrim packages and other packages tailor-made for this section of the Diaspora should be
developed and publicised.

Education -A large reservoir of highly qualified PIOs in senior academic positions in almost every
academic institution in countries like the USA, Canada and the UK. leverage this extraordinary
resource. Concerted efforts should be made to introduce India Studies in universities with a sizeable
Indian Diaspora.

Health -The PIOs have distinguished themselves in the field of medicine and healthcare in the countries
of their settlement. It is felt that it should be possible to attract significant investments and expertise
from them in the field of health care and medical research.

Standing Committee of Parliament - A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Indian Diaspora should be

constituted. It should have in it, members with an interest in Diaspora affairs. This Committee could
also act as focal point for interaction with Parliamentarians of Indian Origin in other countries.
With the world’s largest diaspora being India’s, the time is ripe to think of an Indian
diaspora policy.
As a definite starting point, a standing committee in the Parliament, as recommended
by L.M. Singhvi committee , could be instituted to actually ascertain the pros and cons
of this in a bipartisan manner.

This will help in understanding the diaspora’s contribution in specific countries and
formalise its role as an effective catalyst in India’s political, economic, trade and aid-
related issues.