India's diaspora is the largest in the world, with nearly 18 million Indians living abroad, surpassing both China and Mexico in numbers. The success of the Indian diaspora compared to their Chinese counterparts sheds light on geopolitical faultlines and showcases India's achievements. Indian migrants, especially in the UK, continue to play a crucial role in building vital links between their adopted homes and their birthplaces, as evidenced by India's record-breaking inward remittances of nearly $108 billion in 2022, the highest among all countries.
The Indian diaspora's influence extends to top positions in business, government, and academia. Indian executives lead major corporations like Adobe, Alphabet, IBM, and Microsoft. In politics, Indian heritage is represented by figures such as the prime minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, former COP26 President Alok Sharma, Virendra Sharma MP, Shailesh Vara, Keith Vaz, former Home Secretary Priti Patel and Home Secretary Seulla Braverman.
India's population, combined with its first-class higher education system and proficiency in English, positions it as a leading exporter of talent. Indian immigrants often possess advanced degrees and excel in professional fields such as medicine and information technology. Around 1.8 million Indians, or 2-3 % of the Indian diaspora, contribute six per cent to United Kingdom's (UK) economy, which is recognised as a huge contribution. The annual Sunday Times rich list of the UK’s wealthiest people was topped by Gopi Hinduja and his family for the fifth time in a row in 2023, which a whopping net worth and growing business. Gopi Hinduja and his brothers head the multinational conglomerate Hinduja Group. The NHS boasts of outstanding medical and healthcare workers like Dr Partha Kar OBE, Dr Indranil Chakravatory, Dr Ramesh Mehta, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, Dr Nikki Kanani, Dr Harpreet Sood among others who turned the tide around the pandemic to save millions of lives.
The Indian diaspora plays a crucial role in maintaining a strong bond between India and Western countries. The UK seems to have finally progressed as renowned authors like Sathnam Sanghera are penning down books on ‘Stolen History’ and telling Britons about India’s colonial past. The support of overseas Indians is vital for Prime Minister Modi, as he recognises the significance of retaining their backing and understands that pressuring hyphenated Indians to choose sides is not a viable option. Despite occasional setbacks, India's value remains immeasurable, much like its diaspora spread across the globe.
