Advantages and Disadvantages of the Indian Diaspora

• It is released by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).

• It provides the latest estimates of the number of international migrants by age, sex and origin for all countries and areas of the world.

• These data based on official national statistics on the foreign population obtained from population censuses, population registers.

• India (17.5 million person in 2019) was the leading country of diaspora. 

• The top 10 countries of origin account for One-third of all international migrants. Mexico is a Second largest diaspora (11.8 million), 

followed by China (10.7 million), 

Russia, Syria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ukraine, the Philippines and Afghanistan. 

• Some follow their dreams.

• Some run from war and hunger (e.g. Migration from Syria to European countries).

• Some lured by the sense of adventure.

• For better land of opportunities.

• Improve lifestyle

• Better Security

• Better Health Systems

• Better Education

• For Financial Stability

• Human Capitals – It helps to transfer of innovative ideas and knowledge resources expertise.

• They bridges the markets for the development of the country of origin and the rest of the world.

• The Soft Diplomacy – A vital role played by the Indian Diaspora – is critical in the success of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

• The country of their residence also has developed due this Diaspora. Silicon Valley, For example, represents the success of the Indians in the United State of America (USA).

• The development of Science and Technology is mostly due to the role played by the Indian Diaspora.

• The Diaspora is the major source of trade investment in India.

• Remittances – The World Bank predicts Indian Diaspora to be the largest contributor and earner of inflows of remittances which is helping the balance of the Current accounts.

• Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic has played havoc with lives of Indian overseas. Some have lost their jobs while others are in fear of losing them. There is already a significant number of people who are seeking to return to India due to financial instability. All routine trips Indian have been taking back and forth has been disrupted and they are clueless when they will be able to visit their homeland.

• West Asia :

a) Low oil prices owing to Shale gas boom and slower global growth is resulting in job cuts for Indians.

b) Security issues of Indian due to Shia-Sunni conflicts and radical Islamism.

c) Fierce competetioc from the Philippines and the cheap labour from Nepal.

d) Exploitation of unskilled labour e.g. “Kafala” labour system.

• Developed Nations like US, Canada, Australia & UK :

a) Discriminative practices owing to a racist, colonial mindset persists.

b) Stricter H-1B visa norms in the US Congress.

c) Revision of visa norms in UK post-Brexit might hit the Indian diaspora hard, especially the IT professionals.

d) The disparity in jobs and racial abuse due to terrorist branding.

e) Cultural integration due to various eating preferences, consumerism and nuclear society.

• Dual Citizenship :

Majority of Indian Diaspora want to retain their Indian citizenship of the country of their residence.

• The “Vande Bharat” was an initiative of our Government to organise repatriation flights to bring back the migrant India diaspora especially from Doha, Kuwait, Dammam and Riyadh where more Indians have migrated and wanted to come back home due to COVID-19 crisis.

• The “Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas” is an initiative started by the Government in 2003 to mark contribution of the Indian community overseas in the development of India.

• “Madad” portal for online lodging of the grievances of the emigrants, which are attended to on priority basis.

• New Embassies in Latin America and African Country to help the Diaspora.

• Bilateral engagement with US, UK to address the concern of skilled labour.

• Programmes like “Bharat Ko Janiye” to help the Indian living abroad learn about India and also an opportunity to visit India.

• The Government recently amended the rules of the PIO Card Scheme so that new recipients of PIO cards will be valid for the duration of their life.

• The Government of India has evacuated the Indian diaspora in Yemen in 2015 through Operation “Rahat” and also from South Sudan through Operation “Sankat Mochan”.

• The “Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana” for promote the growth and engagement of youth who target employment overseas. (Skilled Youth for employment overseas).

• To make easier process of immigration and customs clearance.

• The Government need to address the problems of blue-collar workers –

+ Negotiating a Standard Labour Export Agreements with the host Countries.

+ Monitoring and supervision of our overseas workers by our mission.

+ Compulsory insurance schemes covering the risk faced by our overseas workers.

• There should be greater focus on promoting tourism.

• The welfare of Indian Women married to NRI/PIOs.

• Economic Development –

a) NRI/PIOs to develop manufacturing industries.

b) The government should also consider setting up of Special Economic Zones, exclusively for projects to be set up by NRI/PIOs.

c) The Government should consider issuing special infrastructure bonds for attracting NRI/PIO investments on the line of the Israel Bonds.

The Indian Diaspora has  been a pride of india. As all of us are aware, this unprecedented crisis has threaten economic, social and health of Indian working abroad. India still has a gigantic burden until there is a cure of  this virus (COVID-19) and the  spread is paused. India has taken this responsibility positively and has responded well and the Indian diaspora has been united with their families both for social and economic reasons. The pandemic has affected moment globally. The university student staying different parts of the world are stranded and if all these students want to come back, it is major challenge to India.

The Indian diaspora is very varied and diverse and this rich diversity can help mutually both the countries and hence a closer tie within is needed.