(June 5, 2024) India has the biggest diaspora in the world followed by Mexico, Russia and China as per UN’s latest data. According to India’s External Affairs Ministry, there are over three crore Indians currently settled abroad. Of this, close to 1.35 crore are NRIs while the remaining are Persons of Indian Origin (PIO). Addressing tens of thousands of people of Indian origin, the Indian Prime Minister has built a strong connection with the diaspora in the last one decade. Added to that, the external affairs minister Jaishankar’s skillful foreign relations have boosted the interest of Indian diaspora in their native country and resurrected a sense of pride.
The leaders’ consistent outreach to the Indian diaspora worldwide has been a significant feature of their foreign policy. Understanding the value of building ties with the diaspora, even Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been on several visits abroad, primarily at foreign universities addressing the Indian natives. The Indian diaspora across the globe has keenly observed the 2024 elections due to the foreign policies which have a massive impact on them especially from the perspective of the migration policies. While counting of votes was in progress, Global Indian spoke to a few members of the diaspora asking their opinion on the significance of elections for Indians staying abroad. Here‘s what they had to say:
Paras Khuran
Paras Khurana, AI, Cybersecurity & HR Professional, Ontario, Canada
India’s elections hold immense significance for millions of NRIs, as the outcome can directly impact the lives and connections with our homeland. The election results will shape India’s economic trajectory, influencing factors such as investment opportunities, taxation policies, and remittance regulations. NRIs often contribute substantially to India’s economy through remittances, which amounted to a staggering $87 billion in 2021, according to the World Bank. Furthermore, the elected government’s stance on issues like dual citizenship, voting rights for NRIs, and diaspora engagement initiatives will have a profound impact on the NRI community. The election outcome will also influence bilateral relations between India and the countries where NRIs reside, affecting their lives and prospects. As India’s global influence continues to grow, NRIs have a vested interest in the nation’s political landscape and the policies that shape its future.
Sanjay Gupta
Sanjay Gupta, Business Executive, Dubai, UAE
What I realised in my two decades abroad is that a powerful image of India brings a lot of global opportunities for Indians staying within the country and those working abroad. Coming from a country that can boast of a good economy, education, and innovation adds immense value to professionals of the country in a foreign land. As an Indian native, I feel proud highlighting the country’s positive developments in the global arena. Staggered image or poor image of a country, and struggling government would not add value to me as an NRI. Clean and a digitally strong image is what we are looking for and support. I am looking forward to the same good image of India in the coming decade and that is why staying abroad I have been keenly observing the election related developments in India. Stability of government would mean a lot of boosts in the sectors of business economy, trade, startups, foreign collaborations, sustainability, energy efficiency, women empowerment, innovation and research development. The way the government performed in the last one decade has evoked patriotism, nationalism, strength and power at the global platform.
Harold D’Souza
Harold D’Souza, President, Eyes Open International, Ohio, United States
As an NRI, the significance of Indian elections across borders serves as a powerful reminder of our deep-rooted connection to our homeland. Despite living abroad, our nationality, culture, and heritage remain integral to our identity. Keenly following the electoral process of India allowed us to stay connected to our roots, affirm our solidarity with our fellow citizens back home, and ensure that our voices abroad contribute to shaping our nation’s future. It is our continued commitment to the values and principles that define us as Indians, no matter where we reside. To me, India’s elections and results influence policies and decisions impacting not only those living in India but also the global Indian community.
Suresh Jayaraman
Suresh Jayaraman, Technical Auditor, Sharjah, UAE
Staying abroad, I feel so proud to be an Indian and witness how our elections, the world’s largest electoral festival, uphold the spirit of our democracy under the supervision of our Election Commission. As NRIs, we continuously think about the people back home and take an active interest in the electoral process, hoping for a strong government to form at the center and for our country’s values to be showcased to the entire world. However, there are certain areas where the political arena appears unpleasant from the perspective of a common man. Some individuals in politics do not come with the motive of serving the nation; instead, they view politics as a means to make a lot of money. Like every election, I hoped that in this election too, people would think carefully and cast their ballots with the nation’s growth in mind, electing the right candidates.
Read a similar story of impact of Trump’s policies on Indian workers in the U.S.
