INDIAN DIASPORA
Diaspora is derived from a greek word -
Diasperein.
Diasperien means dispersion. Hence Diaspora is the dispersed people from India.
Indian Diaspora = NRI + OCI (Prior to 2015, it was NRI + PIO + OCI. PIO merged into OCI in 2015)
SIGNIFICANCE
- ECONOMIC:
- Remittances to India: India receives more than 85 bn USD annually as remittances & it is predicted to be around 100 bn USD in 2022.
- Flow of business ideas, tacit information & technology into India.
- Migration of less skilled labour from India creates a reduced pressure in India for employment generation.
- POLITICAL:
- Indians hold critical positions of power in many countries like USA, Mauritius, UK
- The diaspora has an immense potential to influence the electoral results of their host countries.
- The NRI & OCI is a potential lobby for India.
- CULTURAL:
- Presence of diaspora has led to spread of Indian culture & inter racial marital ties thus contributing in the soft power of India.
CHALLENGES
- Heterogeneous nature of the Indian diaspora.
- West Asia needs support on welfare issues.
- From the west, we need increased investment & trade.
- Racial Discrimination.
- Nature of jobs ie in West Asia most of our diaspora is involved in blue collared jobs.
- Connection with Anti - India or separatists.
WHERE IS INDIAN DIASPORA SETTLING?
A total of
1,63,370 Indians
relinquished Indian Citizenship in 2021 and received citizenship from other countries, a trend noted highest since 2019.
According to the government data,
over 3.9 lakh citizens have given up their citizenship in the past 3 years to settle abroad.
The data mentions that there are 103 countries where Indians relinquished Indian citizenship.
WHERE ARE INDIANS SETTLING ABROAD?
