GS2 PYQ 2020 (Mains Answer Writing): Indian Diaspora in Western World | UPSC Mains: International Relations PDF Download

‘Indian Diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. (UPSC GS2 2020)

The Indian Diaspora is estimated to be second largest in the world and has a diversified global presence. The Diaspora, estimated at over 25 million, is spread across more than 200 countries with a high concentration in regions such as the Middle East, the United States of America, Malaysia, and South Africa.
The Indian Diaspora has not only increased in numbers but has been gaining universal recognition for the unique contributions to its host countries, be it skilled and semi-skilled work force in the Gulf region or technocrats and educated professionals of Indian origin. Members of the Indian Diaspora do play a significant role in mobilizing political support for in their country of residence on issues of vital concerns to India.
Its role in the politics and economy of America and European Countries 

• Economic Front 
  • Indian Diaspora is one of the richest minorities in many developed countries, this helped them to lobby for favourable terms regarding India’s interests. 
  • The migration of less-skilled labour has also helped in bringing down disguised unemployment in India. 
  • Migrants’ remittances have positive systemic effects on the balance of payments. Remittances of $70-80 billion help to bridge a wider trade deficit. 
  • The migrant workers facilitated the flow of tacit information, commercial and business ideas, and technologies into India. 
  • In Europe region, many Indians are working in private sector of countries like UK, Germany and France and Norway. Thus contributing in their economies. 
• Political Front 
• Many people of Indian origin hold top political positions in many countries, in the US itself they are now a significant part of Republicans and Democrats, as well as the government. 
• Indian Diaspora is not just a part of India’s soft power, but a fully transferable political vote bank as well. 
• It played in turning around doubting legislators into voting for the India-U.S. nuclear deal. 
• On political front, Indians hold position in many countries of Europe like England, Germany and Even in recent time in Norway also. Some examples Indian Diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries. 
• India was the world’s top remittance recipient with $79 billion in 2018. The top positions held by people of Indian origin in IBM, Microsoft, Google, Deloitte, Adobe, Palo Alto Networks etc. have a profound impact on global economic output and have decisive implications for how their contribution to this output influences the political dynamics not only in America and European countries but also across the world. 
• When Donald Trump attended the ‘Namaste Trump’ event in Gujarat, he had 4.4 million Indian Americans in mind impacting the political and economic arena, considering that there were candidates like TulsiGabbard and Kamala Harris. 
• Rishi Sunak who became chancellor is referred to as a “possible Britain’s future prime minister” by many. 
• There are over 2 lakh Indians in Italy playing a part in dairy, agricultural and domestic service sectors. Indian Diaspora is instrumental in public healthcare delivery in the EU. 
• Recently, in Ireland, there has been substantial demand for skilled healthcare workers. These are some tangible reflections of India’s soft power. 

Conclusion

• In the past couple of decades, the overseas community has grown into an energetic and confident Diaspora over 25 million strong that has given India a presence in many parts of the world. A successful, prosperous and politically influential Diaspora is an asset to India, for it acts as a vibrant bridge between two countries, adding sustenance to their bilateral relations. 
• It is not a one-way interaction that benefits only one side; both India and the Diaspora have something to gain from the connection, in real as well as intangible terms. 
• Maintaining the bonds between India and the people of Indian origin is an emotional need for overseas Indians; it has economic advantages for India and helps in good bilateral relations between India and the country where the overseas Indian are domiciled. 
• India and its Diaspora can enrich each other in a spirit of mutual interest. The Indian Diaspora is like a mass of variegated strands with differing forms and textures, each with its own needs and expectations.

Topics Covered - Indian Diaspora in Abroad, MEA