Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2026, acknowledging diaspora as “bridge-builders” between India and the world.

About Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

• Date: It is observed every year on January 9.
• Historical Significance: To commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915.
• Establishment: The celebration was started in 2003 based on the recommendations of the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora (headed by L.M. Singhvi).
• Purpose: It recognizes and honours the contributions of the Overseas Indian community to India’s social, economic, cultural, and political development.
• Awards: Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is conferred to recognize exceptional achievements and contributions to India or the diaspora community.
• Format: Since 2015, the main Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is held biennially (every two years), while theme-based conferences take place in intervening years.
  • 2026 is a non-convention year following the 18th Convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha (January 8–10, 2025).
• Platform for Engagement: It serves as a flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs, offering networking, discussions on issues like investments, skill mobility, OCI matters.

Significance of India’s Diaspora 

• Remittances: Remittances provide stable, reliable foreign exchange inflows, often surpassing FDI and supporting millions of households. 
  • In FY 2024-25 (April 2024–March 2025), India received a record $135.46 billion in remittances.
• Global Soft Power and Diplomatic Bridge: The diaspora enhances India’s image through achievements in tech, business, politics, and academia (e.g., influential CEOs and leaders worldwide). 
• Investment, Knowledge, and Entrepreneurship Transfer: Beyond cash, diaspora members drive FDI, startup investments, skill/knowledge inflows, and technology partnerships, fueling India’s innovation and growth ambitions.

India’s Diaspora Profile

• India boasts the world’s largest diaspora, with over 35.4 million Overseas Indians (including Non-Resident Indians – NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin – PIOs).
• This makes it the largest overseas diaspora globally, surpassing others in total numbers.
• NRIs are Indian citizens living abroad, while PIOs are foreign citizens of Indian ancestry (including OCIs).

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Top Countries with Largest Indian Diaspora

• United States: ~5.4 million (largest overall, with significant PIOs in tech, healthcare, and entrepreneurship).
• United Arab Emirates (UAE): ~3.4–3.6 million (highest concentration of NRIs, forming a major part of the expatriate workforce in construction, trade, and services).
• Saudi Arabia: ~2.4–2.6 million (primarily NRIs in labor and professional sectors).

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