The Global Indian

The Global Indian

Every day, the number of Indians migrants in many countries is growing and not just because of the birth rate. What is it that attracts Indians to these countries, is it that they are disillusioned with their own country or is it that these countries offer more opportunities or better working/living conditions? How many Indians are actually out there and what is the kind of jobs they excel in, how much do they earn and how much do they contribute to the economy of their adopted country and their parent country, are some of the questions that arise in any person’s mind who takes pride in saying “I am Indian”?

While the Government of India has pointedly ignored this issue mainly out of stupidity and henceforth, the questions that arise from it, there is considerable concern in the countries where Indians (as well as Chinese) are settling in large numbers that a day may come when the Indians will take over their governance! Many quote the examples of Mauritius, Seychelles, Trinidad & Tobago, Fijis and Reunion as countries where Indians mostly went in as slaves or labor and now more or less rule them. Today, there are an estimated 30 million Indians living & working abroad. Wikipedia has sufficient information though it does not vouch for its accuracy. So is there cause for worry?

Apart from Indians migrating for a livelihood, a large number also go abroad for gaining knowledge and degrees. Today, many colleges and universities in many countries depend on India and Indians to sustain their finances. However, the same cannot be said of the reactions of the local population (I do not use the term ‘indigenous population’ as that species are almost extinct) as borne out by the ill-treatment meted out to Indian students in Australia and some other countries. The locals consider Indians as serious competition and are mostly unable to compete with them as Indians are more compromising in their wants and can undercut anyone out of a job through pay cuts.

Let us look at the scenario in South East Asia where Indians form a substantial percentage of the population of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. It may not be farfetched to say that in the near future, these countries could have an expat Indian as their Head of State. In Malaysia, they are suppressed out of this very fear psychosis and in Singapore, they are not allowed to progress through myriad government-sponsored road-blocks. Such fears are not without basis as many events in the UK, USA and Canada bear out the fact.

The Government of India has recently woken up to this performing asset and is eagerly wooing them for their money – as simple as that. With economic liberalization and capital account convertibility, the country required a large amount of investment inflows and reserves of foreign currencies (the Dollar, the Pound, the Euro, the Yen, etc) and the expat Indian population was an easy catch. ‘Better late than never’ appeared to push the Government of India to essay into their world and make the best of a bad job. While most NRI still pine for their parent country, there is a growing dislike for the ways of governance here and as has happened in Mauritius, they indulge in bad-mouthing India. But, let us for now ignore this (though growing) minority. I am more interested in what they will achieve in their adopted countries rather than what they cannot do for their parent country.

The trends in the UK, the USA and Canada indicate the growing clout of this section of population and many have attained very senior positions in government and of governance. There is a distinct possibility of a PIO becoming Head of State in any or all of these countries in the not too distant future. This augurs well for India and no doubt, the Government of India also sees this trend and possibly even helps out by lobbying where required.

By Kali