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February 12, 2025 06:26
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Indian Diaspora has evolved from ancient migration to modern-day skilled professionals moving abroad. Learn more about Indian diaspora here.
Indian diaspora is one of the largest in the world, with millions of individuals of Indian origin residing across various continents. It represents a significant force in terms of economic contributions, cultural influence, and diplomatic relations. The term “diaspora” originates from Greek, meaning “to scatter,” and refers to communities that maintain their cultural identity despite residing far from their homeland.
As of November 2024, the Indian diaspora is estimated to be 35.4 million people, including non-resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIOs). Over the centuries, the Indian diaspora has evolved from ancient migrations to modern-day skilled professionals settling abroad. From laborers in the colonial era to global CEOs and political leaders today, the influence of Overseas Indians has grown immensely.
Understand the historical evolution, significance, and role of the Indian diaspora, covering its impact on various spheres like economy, culture, politics, and diplomacy from here.
The migration of Indians across the globe can be divided into various phases, each marked by distinct reasons and patterns of movement.
| Era | Description |
| Ancient Migration | Early migration during the 1st century AD saw the movement of Indian traders and settlers to Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe. The Chola Empire (9th–13th century) facilitated migration to regions such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Cambodia. |
| Colonial Era (19th–20th Century) | The British Empire transported Indians as indentured laborers to work on plantations in Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad, and South Africa. This phase, known as the Old Diaspora, saw over 1.5 million Indians moving abroad under contract labor agreements. |
| New Diaspora (Post-1960s) | After the 1960s, migration patterns shifted, with skilled professionals moving to developed nations like the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia due to favorable immigration policies. |
| Gulf Migration (Post-1970s) | The oil boom of the 1970s led to a surge in migration to Gulf countries, with a large number of semi-skilled and unskilled Indian workers taking up contractual employment. |
The Indian government officially classifies the diaspora into three categories: Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).
| Comparison of NRI, PIO, and OCI | |||
| Feature | NRI (Non-Resident Indian) | PIO (Merged into OCI) | OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) |
| Definition | Indian citizen residing abroad. | Foreign citizen of Indian origin. | Foreign citizen of Indian descent with OCI status. |
| Citizenship | Holds an Indian passport. | Held foreign citizenship and PIO card. | Foreign citizenship, OCI cardholder. |
| Voting Rights in India | Yes | No | No |
| Government Jobs in India | Yes | No | No |
| Visa Requirement in India | Not required | Required earlier; now merged into OCI. | Visa-free lifelong entry to India. |
| Eligibility for Citizenship | Already an Indian citizen. | 7 years of residence in India. | 5 years as an OCI and 1 year of residence in India. |
The Indian diaspora is spread across more than 125 countries, with some nations having a substantial Indian-origin population. Here are the top 10 countries with the largest Indian diaspora based on the total number of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs):
| Country | Non-Resident Indians (NRI) | Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) |
| United States (USA) | 2077158 | 3331904 | 5409062 |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | 3554274 | 14574 | 3568848 |
| Saudi Arabia | 2460603 | 2906 | 2463509 |
| Canada | 1016274 | 1859680 | 2875954 |
| Malaysia | 163127 | 2751000 | 2914127 |
| Sri Lanka | 7500 | 1600000 | 1607500 |
| South Africa | 60,000 | 1640000 | 1700000 |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 369000 | 1495318 | 1864318 |
| Myanmar | 2660 | 2000000 | 2002660 |
| Mauritius | 23708 | 871140 | 894848 |
The Indian diaspora plays a crucial role in strengthening India’s global influence.
Despite its successes, the Indian diaspora faces several challenges:
The Indian government actively engages with the diaspora to leverage its influence. Here are some Government Initiatives for the Indian Diaspora:
| Government Initiatives for the Indian Diaspora | |
| Initiative | Objective |
| Pravasi Bharatiya Divas | Annual event to celebrate diaspora contributions. |
| Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) | Provides lifelong visa-free travel and residence to Indian-origin individuals. |
| India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI) | Encourages philanthropy from diaspora members towards development projects in India. |
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