Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

India’s diaspora, one of the largest in the world, comprises over 31 million people spread across 146 countries. From remittances ($89 billion in 2021, the largest globally) to influencing global perceptions about India, diaspora diplomacy has become a cornerstone of India's soft power strategy.

Body

Diaspora Diplomacy as a Component of India's Soft Power Strategy:

• Cultural Diplomacy
  • Cultural Ambassadors: The Indian diaspora plays a crucial role in promoting India's rich cultural heritage, yoga, Ayurveda, and festivals like Diwali and Holi globally.
    • For instance, the celebration of International Day of Yoga is a success partly due to diaspora advocacy.
  • Preservation of Indian Identity: Initiatives like Know India Programme (KIP) and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) foster a connection to India’s culture among second- and third-generation diaspora youth, transforming them into cultural ambassadors.
  • Promotion of Language and Traditions: Efforts to preserve Indian languages (Hindi, Tamil, etc.) abroad strengthen cultural ties, as seen in Tamil-speaking populations in Singapore and Mauritius.
• Economic Diplomacy
  • Remittances: India received $89 billion in remittances in 2021, the highest globally, contributing significantly to rural development and poverty alleviation. Gulf migrants are a major source of remittance inflows.
  • Investment and Entrepreneurship: Policies like treating NRI investments as domestic (not FDI) under schemes like Make in India and Digital India have boosted investments in India’s innovation ecosystem.
    • Indian diaspora entrepreneurs have contributed to the growth of start-ups like Flipkart.
  • Philanthropy: Initiatives such as the India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI) encourage diaspora contributions to social development projects like Swachh Bharat and Clean Ganga.
• Political Advocacy
  • Lobbying for India's Interests: The diaspora has played a pivotal role in lobbying for India's interests, such as during the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement (2008) and India’s re-election of Justice Dalveer Bhandari to the International Court of Justice (2017).
  • Influence in Global Politics: Prominent leaders of Indian origin, such as Vivek Ramaswamy (American entrepreneur and politician), Leo Varadkar (Irish former Fine Gael politician), and Antonio Costa (Former Portugal PM), act as bridges between India and their host nations, strengthening diplomatic ties.
  • Support for UNSC Membership: Diaspora groups have lobbied for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council, influencing global perceptions.
• Building a Positive Global Image
  • "Brand India": Diaspora members act as unofficial ambassadors, promoting India's values of democracy, pluralism, and inclusivity in their host nations.
    • The success of Indian-origin professionals in diverse fields (e.g., Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella) enhances India’s image as a source of global talent.
  • Soft Power Events: Diaspora-centric events such as Howdy Modi (Houston, 2019) and Wembley Event (London, 2015) create a sense of pride among NRIs and promote India’s soft power globally.
  • Welfare of Migrant Workers: Programs like the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) and rescue missions (e.g., Sankat Mochan Operation in South Sudan) reflect India’s commitment to protecting its diaspora during crises

Challenges in Utilizing Diaspora Diplomacy

• Uneven Attention: India's diaspora engagement often prioritizes the wealthy diaspora in countries like the US, UK, and Canada while neglecting low-income groups in the Gulf, who form a significant part of the diaspora.
• Security Concerns: Segments of the diaspora have supported separatist movements, such as the Khalistan movement in Canada and the UK, creating diplomatic challenges.
• Limited Political Advocacy: While the diaspora has lobbied for India’s interests, India has been less effective in advocating for diaspora concerns, such as H-1B visa reforms in the US or addressing Gulf workers' rights.

Way Forward to Enhance Diaspora Diplomacy

• Inclusive Engagement: Focus on low-income diaspora groups in Gulf countries alongside wealthy diaspora in developed nations.
• Strengthen Welfare Mechanisms: Enhance funding for the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) to protect migrant workers during crises.
• Policy Reforms: Revisit the demand for dual citizenship and voting rights for NRIs to improve diaspora engagement.
• Leverage Technology: Use platforms like e-Migrate to ensure transparency in overseas recruitment and protect workers from exploitation.
• Diaspora-Led Advocacy: Encourage diaspora groups to act as strategic partners in advancing India’s global aspirations, such as UNSC membership and multilateral trade negotiations.

Conclusion

Diaspora diplomacy is a key element of India's soft power, leveraging its global diaspora's economic, cultural, and political contributions. Despite successes, challenges like unequal focus and security concerns limit its full potential. Addressing these gaps can enhance India's global influence and strengthen the diaspora as a strategic asset.