Indians beyond India

The latest Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention (PBD) was held in Odisha’s capital Bhubaneshwar on January 8-10. The first PBD was held in 2003 by the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Sangh Parivar has always been committed to the maintenance of strong contacts between India and its diaspora, especially so in cultural areas

The Nehruvian approach to the diaspora was somewhat different from that of the Sangh. Jawaharlal Nehru had no objection to continuing cultural interaction between India and the diaspora though he never personally demonstrated any great interest in the performing arts nor was he a religiously inclined person. His interest lay in the social sciences, including history. His books bear this out. But the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was established by the Nehru government in 1950 for ensuring that the Indian diaspora’s needs for nourishing its cultural roots were met. ICCR set up offices in some countries where the diaspora was in good numbers.

In the early decades of India’s independence, the diaspora mainly consisted of descendants of Indian indentured workers. Nehru did not want that it should be confronted with charges of being more loyal to India than the countries in which they lived. This point needs to be explored further.

India’s independence paved the way for decolonization. India played a leading global role in that process. It was looked up to by the leadership of the newly decolonized countries. The British had taken Indian indentured labour to their colonies to work in the plantations. Along with indentured workers went traders in small numbers.

The British sought to keep the native populations and Indian indentured workers separate. This naturally created problems between the communities in newly decolonized countries. The Nehruvian approach stressed that while Indian communities in these countries should maintain their cultural heritage their political loyalties should be with the countries of their citizenship. He therefore did not emphasise their Indian origin. At the same time Nehru demanded that people of Indian origin in these countries should enjoy all the rights of citizenship. This point was especially stressed by all governments thereafter.

Gradually the nature of the diaspora changed as Indian workers, professionals and businesspeople began to go abroad beginning with the 1960s. Many of them took the citizenship of the countries they had gone too but some did not.

Thus, two separate categories of overseas Indians came up. The first was that of Non-Resident Indians who remained Indian nationals while the second were People of Indian Origin who had become nationals of other countries. The latter too, especially those who were first generation Indians, wanted to maintain contacts with India. As India began to progress overseas Indians belonging to both categories began to take pride in India’s achievements.

Till then, truth be told, many overseas Indians had litanies of complaints about the Indian system. The liberalization of the economy gave opportunities to overseas Indian to look to India for commercial and economic purposes too. This coincided with India’s desire to attract them to contribute in whatever way they could for India’s progress.

By now people of Indian origin have also begun to make their mark in the political lives of their countries of adoption. In some cases, they have achieved high office, as with Rishi Sunak, who became Prime Minister of Britain. Following the recent US elections there are six members of the House of Representatives who are of Indian origin. Many of them, like those in the politics of other countries, want close ties with India. However, in some cases their position is at odds with that of India on crucial issues.

After the first PBD the event was held annually but after 2015 it is held every two years. Like in the past, the Indian leadership takes an active interest in the PBDs. This year’s event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 9. That is the day chosen for every PBD because Gandhiji returned from South Africa on January 9, 1915.

The Chief Guest this year was, according to a MEA media release, the “President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo [who] addressed the gathering virtually. She remembered with fondness and pride her Indian ancestry as well as the contribution of Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago.

She highlighted India’s remarkable contribution to global growth and development”. On his part speaking at the even Modi “urged the Indian diaspora to contribute towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. He also encouraged the diaspora members to make efforts towards preservation of diaspora history through initiatives such as digitalization of historical documents, films, documentaries and research. Prime Minister spoke about bringing together the diaspora under a Girmitiya Conference”.

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the PBD’s closing ceremony. She “expressed her appreciation for the indomitable spirit of the Indian diaspora. She made a special mention of the contribution made by women, students and the youth who she termed as the torch bearers for the future generations of the diaspora.

She also spoke about the various efforts of the Government to enhance consular services and also called on the diaspora to actively participate in initiatives such as ‘Know India Program’. Citing recent evacuation operations undertaken by the Government, President emphasized that the Government of India has always prioritized support and protection of the diaspora”.

Clearly, the diaspora is an important element of Modi’s foreign policy.