Perspective- Welfare Of Indian Diaspora | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

With over 18 million individuals of Indian origin and 13 million non-resident Indians, the Indian diaspora stands as the largest overseas community globally. Recognizing the significant profile and geographical spread of this diaspora, a parliamentary panel has recommended leveraging its potential to bolster India's soft power and cultural diplomacy on the international stage. Presented in Parliament last August, the committee's report underscores the need for a clear and comprehensive policy framework to proactively engage with Indians residing abroad. The government has responded by submitting its action taken notes on the recommendations outlined in the standing committee report titled "Welfare of Indian Diaspora: Policies & Schemes," accepting 43 out of 55 recommendations, with the remaining 8 recommendations being reiterated.

Opportunities Presented by the Indian Diaspora:

• As per the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, India had approximately 4.7 crore Indians, including students, as of December 31, 2021.
• According to the World Migration Report by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration, India boasts the largest emigrant population globally, followed by Mexico, Russia, and China.
• Serving as vital bridges, the Indian diaspora provides access to knowledge, expertise, resources, and markets, fostering development in both the country of origin and host nations.
• Integral to India's soft diplomacy efforts, the diaspora has played pivotal roles, such as facilitating the Indo-US Nuclear deal.
• Contributions to host countries' growth and development, exemplified by the success of Indian professionals in Silicon Valley, underscore the diaspora's positive impact.
• Noteworthy contributions to science, technology, trade, investment, and remittances, with the Indian diaspora being the world's largest earner of remittances, bolster India's socio-economic development.
• Dissemination of Indian culture and traditions globally enhances India's cultural influence, exemplified by the popularity of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Indian Cuisine.

Challenges Faced by the Diaspora

• Exclusionary Conventions: The Parliamentary Committee notes that conventions like the PBD tend to overlook a significant segment of the diaspora, particularly those who are not affluent, such as low/semi-skilled and blue-collar workers.
• Economic Challenges: Declining oil prices due to the Shale gas boom and sluggish global growth have led to job cuts for Indians working in oil-dependent sectors.
• Discriminatory Practices: Persisting discriminatory practices, rooted in a racist and colonial mindset, pose obstacles in securing jobs and work visas for diaspora members.
• Varied Support and Priorities: The support of the diaspora for India's interests is not automatic or continuous, and their priorities may not always align with those of India. For instance, the Indian community in the US did not vocally oppose Trump's proposal to restrict the H-1B visa program, despite its benefits to many Indians.
• Citizenship Dilemma: A majority of the Indian diaspora desire to retain their Indian citizenship alongside citizenship in their country of residence, presenting legal and identity-related challenges.
• Misuse of Remittances: Remittances sent by the diaspora may not always be utilized for beneficial purposes, as seen in instances where foreign funding supported extremist movements like the Khalistan movement in India.
• Brain Drain: Many Indians pursue higher education abroad and subsequently work as scientists and economists overseas, resulting in a loss of talent for India, particularly in research and development fields.
• Policy Impact: Initiatives like the e-Migrate system and the Minimum Referral Wages policy have unintended negative consequences for India, as companies find it easier to hire labor from countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Way Forward

• Inclusive Participation: Broadening the participation in events like the PBD convention to encompass vulnerable segments of the diaspora community is essential.
• Welcoming Environment: Ensuring that diaspora members feel welcomed upon arrival in India entails streamlining immigration and customs clearance procedures with courteous service.
• Facilitating Foreign Funds: Simplifying entry processes for foreign funds can encourage greater investment and financial contributions from the diaspora.
• Support for Blue-Collar Workers: Addressing the challenges faced by overseas blue-collar workers requires measures such as negotiating Standard Labour Export Agreements with host countries and implementing compulsory insurance schemes.
• Inclusive Diplomacy: Promoting inclusive diplomacy strategies fosters stronger engagement with the diaspora and enhances their sense of belonging.
• Economic Initiatives: Establishing Special Economic Zones exclusively for projects by NRIs/PIOs and issuing special infrastructure bonds can attract investment and stimulate economic development.
• Tourism Promotion: Focusing on promoting tourism among second-generation PIOs can strengthen cultural ties and foster economic growth.
• Welfare Measures: Ensuring the welfare of Indian women married to NRIs/PIOs and providing support for diasporic professionals in senior positions can further enhance engagement and collaboration with the diaspora.