GS2 (Mains Answer Writing): South East Asian Countries and India | UPSC Mains: International Relations PDF Download

Indian diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries' economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian diaspora in South-East Asia in this context. (UPSC GS2 2017)

• India’scultural relations with south east Asia are one of the most fascinating fields of history. Indian diaspora in these countries is varied. Indians roughly constitute about 8% to 9% of the total population in Malaysia and Singaporerespectively.
  Role of Indian diaspora in these economies: 
• In Indonesia, traditionally the Sikhs, Sindhis, and Tamils are engaged in various small businesses like sports goods, textiles and construction among many others. 
• Recent trends indicate that the present Indian migration includes professionals holding senior positions in local and multinational companies in the fields of IT, education, and technology among other aspects. Overall, the Indian community is well respected in Indonesia. 
• Singapore is distinct in all the Southeast Asian countries as Indians are well represented in the judiciary, civil services and armed forces of that country. 
• Some of the prominent persons of Indian origin include former President Late S. R. Nathan and Late S. Rajaratnam, an influential personality in the public life of Singapore, among many othersThe entrepreneurial success of some Indians in Hong Kong is a fabulous story.Indian diaspora made considerable and consistent contributions made by the Indian community in Hong Kong in the ûelds of business, trade, education and social services. 
• There is significant presence of Indian diaspora even to the far east in countries like Japan,Korea,Brunei, etc. 

Concerns

• In the case of Malaysia, the political, economic and social status of Indians vis-à-vis Chinese and local Malays is not satisfactory. 
• The New Economic Policy of 1970 adversely affected the Indian community in Malaysia. “Only a small group of Indian businesses with political patronage has prospered by venturing into services, construction and related activities.” 
• Myanmar: Ethnic Indians have no social, political or economic clout. When Myanmar got independence in 1948, all the important spheres of society were populated by Indians. Later nationalization policies implemented by the government led to an exodus of Indians on a large scale. 
• Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia is numerically very small and does not enjoy the economic clout that may change the state policies to India’s advantage. 
• Foreign Direct Investments from these countries is meagre. Same is the case with remittances when compared with those from Gulf or Western countries. 
• In the political realm, except for Singapore, Indians are not well represented politically in these states. 
• Even the administrative machinery constitutes few Indians. Therefore, the Indian diaspora has little utility for lobbying on behalf of India. 
• In addition to this, the region varies extensively in terms of polities. Very few countries are genuine democracies which again is a hindrance for lobbying.