Indians (South Asian diaspora)

Indians (South Asian diaspora)
Group	Indians (South Asian diaspora)
Regions	Worldwide
Languages	Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, English
Religions	Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism

Contents

Indians (South Asian diaspora) The Indian diaspora comprises people of Indian origin who reside outside the Republic of India and maintain ties to regions such as Punjab, Gujarat, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Kashmir. Diaspora populations trace migration to historical events including the British Raj, the Indenture (contract) system, post-Partition of India (1947), and modern labor and professional mobility associated with destinations like the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and Caribbean. The community engages with institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank, International Organization for Migration, and national ministries to shape transnational links.

Overview and Definition

The diaspora includes migrants from regions historically governed by the British East India Company and later the British Empire, as well as postcolonial emigrants linked to policies like the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and bilateral agreements such as the Indo‑Soviet Treaty of Friendship (cultural exchanges). Members maintain linguistic networks involving scripts like Devanagari and Bengali alphabet and religious calendars tied to festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Eid al‑Fitr, Christmas (holiday), Vaisakhi, Pongal, Onam, and Navaratri. Diaspora identity often intersects with political movements including the Indian independence movement, the Swadeshi movement, and contemporary electoral engagement with parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress.

Early migrations involved sailors and traders linked to the Maratha Empire and the Mughal Empire who reached the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia. The Indian indenture system (1830s–1920s) relocated workers to colonies after the abolition of slavery, shaping populations in Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname. Colonial soldiers served in campaigns such as the First World War and the Second World War, deploying from regiments tied to the British Indian Army to theatres in the Western Front, Gallipoli campaign, and East Africa campaign. Migration waves after the Partition of India (1947) produced refugees who settled in Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, and United States. Late 20th‑ and 21st‑century migration includes professionals from institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences relocating under visas like the H‑1B visa and under labor contracts with states including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Significant populations concentrate in metropolitan regions including London, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore (city-state), Johannesburg, Durban, Port Louis, Suva, Paramaribo, Port of Spain, and Georgetown, Guyana. Census and migration data reference institutions such as the United States Census Bureau, Office for National Statistics (United Kingdom), Statistics Canada, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to map diasporic demographics by origin states like Punjab, India, Gujarat, India, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Language retention involves communities using Hindi language, Bengali language, Punjabi language, Tamil language, Telugu language, Urdu language, and Gujarati language in family and religious institutions such as Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras, mosques, churches, and Jain temples.

Diaspora communities sustain culinary traditions like biryani, samosa, dosa, idli, chai, lassi, and sweets linked to mithai confectionery at festivals such as Diwali and Eid al‑Fitr. Artistic expression spans classical forms tied to institutions such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Carnatic music, and Hindustani classical music alongside contemporary cinema industries including Bollywood, Tollywood (Telugu cinema), Kollywood (Tamil cinema), and diasporic filmmakers showcased at festivals like the Sundance Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival. Literary networks feature authors published in outlets connected to prizes such as the Man Booker Prize and the Pulitzer Prize, while academic affiliations often involve universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Toronto, and National University of Singapore.

Indian migrants have contributed expertise in sectors tied to firms like Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Cipla, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, and Mahindra & Mahindra, and fill roles in healthcare institutions such as Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Entrepreneurs found companies including Google (co‑founders link to Indian origin founders), Microsoft (founders/engineers link), and startups funded by venture investors like Sequoia Capital and Accel Partners. In host countries, diaspora professionals occupy positions in parliaments and cabinets, exemplified by figures associated with institutions such as the United States Congress, the House of Commons (UK), the Senate of Canada, and ministries in Australia and New Zealand.

Communities confront issues including immigration policy disputes influenced by legislation such as the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and national debates in parliaments like the Lok Sabha and the House of Commons (UK), as well as social dynamics involving discrimination cases adjudicated in courts like the Supreme Court of the United States and the Supreme Court of India. Health disparities and access intersect with institutions including the World Health Organization and national health services like the National Health Service (England). Diaspora activism addresses human rights concerns in contexts such as the United Nations Human Rights Council and transnational advocacy networks including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Prominent community organizations include the Federation of Indian Associations, the India Development and Relief Fund, the Hindu American Foundation, the Network of Indian Professionals, and cultural institutions such as the India Centre and diaspora chapters of the Confederation of Indian Industry. Notable communities with political representation include Indian-origin leaders elected to bodies like the United States Senate, Parliament of the United Kingdom, Parliament of Canada, Australian Parliament, and civic offices in Singapore and Mauritius. Diaspora philanthropy supports projects with partners such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and development programs coordinated with the Government of India and state governments like Government of Gujarat and Government of Kerala.