By Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri
More than 3000 delegates from 70 different countries have gathered in Odisha to observe the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD). This marks the 18th edition of PBD, which is scheduled for January 8th and 9th in the historic city of Bhubaneshwar, under the theme ‘Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat’.
The Chief Guest for this occasion was Christine Carla Kangaloo, the President of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago. Dr. Dev Pragad, the CEO and Co-Founder of NewsWeek, honored the youth PBD as the guest of honour. There were also significant ministerial representations from countries such as Mauritius, Malaysia, and South Africa, along with substantial delegations from Oman, Qatar, the UAE, the UK, and the USA.
The Prime Minister inaugurated a special tourist service called the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, tailored for the Diaspora. This train will begin its journey from Delhi, exploring numerous tourist attractions over a span of three weeks. President Draupadi Murmu also addressed the conference’s Valedictory Session, presenting awards to 27 members of the Diaspora who have made notable contributions to both their host nations and India.
Since 2014, New Delhi has been making efforts to invest in the Diaspora to safeguard India’s national interests. The Diaspora has emerged as a pivotal force in India’s foreign policy, driving efforts primarily in cultural diplomacy. Bodhi Dharma states, “If you cut the roots of a tree, it dies.” Just as a tree cannot thrive when uprooted, the cultural roots of individuals anchor their identities, shaping their thoughts and actions. This emotional connection is what links the Diaspora to their countries of origin.
The Diaspora bridges cultural divides through its understanding of both their host countries and their nations of origin. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has referred to the Indian Diaspora as ambassadors of Indian values, spirit, and culture, encouraging them to serve as robust connections between their native countries and their adopted homes.
Moreover, the Diaspora plays a crucial role in lobbying and advocating for India’s interests abroad. It has emerged as a significant entity recognized as ‘soft power’ within foreign policy frameworks. It serves as a catalyst for the development of their home countries. For instance, the Chinese Diaspora has been regarded as a driving force behind China’s rise as an economic powerhouse. In politics, the Jewish Diaspora has wielded significant influence in shaping US and European relations with Israel.
In the Indian context, the lobbying efforts by the US-Indian community were instrumental in the Indo-US Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, demonstrating the Diaspora’s influence. On multiple occasions, various lobbying groups, including the Indian caucus on Capitol Hill, have successfully advanced India’s national security interests. The Diaspora fosters global networks by utilizing their international connections and has significantly impacted public opinion and policy-making in their nations of residence.
However, the Diaspora is not without its challenges. Some groups have been associated with security issues in India, providing financial and material aid to separatist movements. The Khalistani Sikhs in Canada are a notable example of divisive elements within the Diaspora. The Kanishka Airline tragedy was orchestrated by elements in the Canadian Sikh community. Separatist movements in Kashmir and the LTTE have similarly received substantial backing from various sections of the Diaspora. Some Indian nationals in Gulf countries have been radicalized, becoming sleeper cells that carry out and fund terrorist activities in India. Groups like SIMI and Indian Mujahidin serve as examples. The diverse Indian Diaspora can become targets for organizations like ISI, which exploit them to undermine the stability of India, as observed in the cases of Headley and Tahavur Rana.
A glance at historical ties between the Diaspora and India’s foreign policy reveals that the plight of Indians abroad was a significant concern during the independence movement. After 1947, the approach towards the Diaspora shifted dramatically due to anti-imperialist strategies, non-alignment, and economic self-sufficiency. Pt. Nehru explicitly stated that Indians who chose to remain abroad would regard themselves as citizens of their host nations and should integrate into their local cultures while advocating for their freedoms, among other things.
There were minimal changes under Shastri or Indira Gandhi, with the latter losing popularity due to her perceived indifference towards the East African Indian crisis from 1968 to 1972. Following the oil shocks and the balance of payments crisis, a remittance-focused strategy emerged for Indians in the Gulf. Rajiv Gandhi recognized the importance of the Diaspora, particularly in managing the Fiji Indian crisis in 1986, and he appointed technocrat Sam Pitroda to realize his vision for the 21st century, establishing the Department of Indian Overseas Affairs.
The NDA government under the BJP marked a turning point for the Diaspora, enhancing engagement during Narasimha Rao’s economic reforms prompted by the foreign reserve crisis of the 1990s. The crisis was largely mitigated by significant investments and remittances from the Indian Diaspora. However, it was under the NDA governance that a substantial shift occurred in favor of the Diaspora to utilize their contributions for promoting economic growth and enhancing cultural nationalism.
The Chennai Declaration by the BJP in 1999 reflects its stance on the Diaspora: “We believe that the vast community of NRIs and PIOs constitute a part of the Great Indian Family. We should endeavor to strengthen their social, cultural, economic, and emotional ties with their mother country. They are a rich reservoir of intellectual, managerial, and entrepreneurial resources. The government should devise innovative schemes to facilitate their investment into India’s all-round development.”
The Indian government under Narendra Modi has initiated numerous Diaspora-centered initiatives, such as establishing a High-Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora, launching the PIO card scheme, organizing PBDs, presenting PBD Samman Awards, and offering dual citizenship (OCI).
The Indian Diaspora, which is the largest in the world with around 25 million individuals spanning 142 countries, plays a crucial role in global business and diplomacy, contributing to the advancement of both host and home countries. Remarkably, in terms of remittances, Overseas Indians have surpassed their Chinese counterparts, positioning the Indian Diaspora as a strategic asset. Representing a microcosm of India, they have made contributions in technology and philanthropy, established cultural and educational institutions, and foster a belief in giving back to their homeland. Globally, the Indian Diaspora is often recognized as a ‘model minority’ due to their reliability, industriousness, and loyalty.
It can be argued that the Diaspora policy and foreign policy are intertwined. Nevertheless, New Delhi must further harness the full potential of the Diaspora by encouraging the migration of semi-skilled and skilled Indians, especially within the software industry, to reshape the Indian demographic landscape. A significant number of Indians could be relocated to countries seeking relevant human resources to support their economies. Additional thought is warranted for the commendable efforts concerning the Diaspora. —INFA
