Answer: India has one of the largest diaspora in the world with over 31 million people including over 13 million NRIs and 18 million Persons of Indian origin (PIOs) spread across the globe. The diaspora is one of the major sources of trade investment in India and a contributor to inflows of remittances, which helps in the balance of India’s current account. Moreover, they play a vital role in India’s soft diplomacy. For instance, the Indian diaspora played a critical role in the success of the Indo-US nuclear deal in 2008. Major challenges faced by the Indian diaspora are the following:

• Rising conflicts and political instability: Rising conflicts across the globe such as the recent Ukraine-Russia war, Shia-Sunni conflicts, etc., and political instability leading to civil wars in Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, etc. affect the security of Indians in those countries.
• Discrimination: The growing rise in xenophobia across the world has led to attacks on Indian immigrants. For example, the Indian Sikhs are facing racial discrimination in the USA.
• Political issues: Growing protectionism has led the leaders of the world to increasingly insist on providing jobs to local populations and this is the cause of great concern for the Indian diaspora who are denied opportunities. For instance, stricter H-1B visa norms in the US or Nitaqat law, which aims to replace a large section of overseas workers with locals in Saudi Arabia.
• Problems faced by Indian migrant workers: They face an exploitative labor system, especially in the Gulf countries where employers seize the travel documents upon arrival known as the Kafala system. Further, the workers face problems such as violation of contractual terms, adverse working conditions, wage-related issues, etc.
• Dual citizenship: The majority of the Indian diaspora want to retain their Indian citizenship along with the citizenship of the country of their residence but have to forgo attaining dual citizenship due to India’s one citizenship policy.

Steps taken by India to enhance engagement with the diaspora population include:

• Merger of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): It led to reintegration and brought in a more holistic approach to dealing with the issues of the Indian diaspora.
• Schemes for rehabilitation: India launched schemes such as SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) for citizens returning under the Vande Bharat Mission with the aim of creating a database of returning citizens based on their skill sets and experience.
• Protection of migrant workers: The Indian government has signed MoUs with Gulf countries to enhance bilateral cooperation and employment opportunities in the protection and welfare of workers.
• Cultural engagement: The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is an initiative started by the government to mark the contribution of the Indian community overseas in the development of India. Further, there are programs like ‘Bharat Ko Janiye’ to help the Indians living abroad learn about India and also to give them an opportunity to visit India.
• Encouraging state outreach programs: The Indian government is promoting state outreach programs such as the Videsh Sampark program. It is an in-depth dialogue between the MEA and state governments with the objective of seeking cooperation in addressing issues pertaining to the welfare and protection of NRIs living abroad.

The Indian government should leverage the bond by enhancing cultural, economic, and political engagement with the diaspora. Further, the need of the hour is to bring out a policy document on the diaspora to serve as a guiding principle for deeper and wider engagement with the diaspora community.