PrintFriendly“They embody the spirit of India across the globe, fostering a sense of unity and diversity.”
-PM Modi on Indian diaspora
The development of any country is highly dependent on the steps which are taken to achieve a holistic improvement in the different sectors. The economic, social and political stability is extremely important for any country to prosper. Along with that, the presence of any country at the international level is very important to showcase the strength of the nation. The recently concluded G20 event under the presidency of India showcased its ability to the world. India today stands at the centre of world politics, and this has become possible because of the crucial and strategic steps which have been taken in the last decade.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) and its associated conventions serve as an annual homage to the contributions of the Indian diaspora to India’s progress. This celebration provides a vital platform for diaspora members to collaborate on projects and share innovative ideas, promoting India’s growth and cultivating a sense of belonging and collective responsibility. The PBD Convention attracts numerous delegates from over 70 countries, fostering dialogue and collaboration among the Indian diaspora. The Know India Programme (KIP) aims to familiarize young members of the Indian diaspora with various aspects of contemporary India, nurturing stronger bonds between the diaspora and their ancestral homeland. This initiative has facilitated a deeper understanding of India’s culture and heritage among the younger generation of diaspora members, fostering a sense of pride and connection. The Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana encourages overseas Indians to experience India’s spiritual and religious heritage through guided pilgrimage tours, thus strengthening cultural ties and promoting religious tourism. Since its inception, this program has provided a unique opportunity for diaspora members to reconnect with their roots, with over 50,000 Indian diaspora members availing of its offerings. The Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children provides financial assistance to children of the Indian diaspora for higher education in Indian institutions, promoting educational ties between India and its diaspora while attracting talent from abroad. Since 2014, this initiative has benefitted over 1,000 students, contributing to the country’s academic excellence and human capital development. GIAN invites distinguished international faculty to teach in Indian universities, enhancing the quality of education and research in Indian institutions. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of higher education in India by providing access to global expertise and fostering collaboration.
India Centre for Migration, formulates long-term strategies concerning emigration and conducts research to facilitate the migration process, promoting safe and orderly migration while protecting the rights of Indian workers abroad. Since 2014, the center has conducted over 20 research studies and organized numerous workshops, collaborating with international organizations and governments to promote safe and orderly migration. The Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana provides financial security to Indian workers migrating abroad, offering coverage for various contingencies to ensure the welfare and protection of overseas Indians and their families. Since 2014, over 50,000 Indian workers migrating abroad are covered annually under this scheme. Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT), under the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana, equips prospective migrants with essential skills and knowledge for successful integration abroad, contributing to reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing the resilience of Indian migrants. Since its inception in 2018, over 1,29,000 individuals have undergone training via PDOT and Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana, equipping them with essential skills for successful integration abroad. Vande Bharat Mission, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitated the repatriation of distressed Indian nationals stranded abroad, showcasing India’s capacity for swift and effective crisis response and earning accolades from the international community. The prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of overseas Indians to India’s development and global reputation. By honoring exemplary individuals, the award enhances India’s soft power and influence, recognizing the diaspora’s role as ambassadors of Indian culture and values on the global stage. Since its inception in 2003, the award has been conferred upon over 200 individuals of Indian origin.
Thus, India’s dominance at the global stage has been possible due to the strategic steps taken by the Indian government. The engagement with the Indian diaspora at the global level along with a key focus to improve the bilateral and Mini lateral engagements has provided beneficial results to the country. The shaping of India’s foreign policy diplomacy has been greatly benefitted by all the efforts which have been taken and thus it is helping in improving with a key focus on along with its performance at such an extent has become possible due to the strong will and the right approach which has been adopted by the government.
About the Authors:
Alok Virendra Tiwari holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Mumbai University. He is currently part of the Chanakya Fellowship in Social Sciences at Chanakya University, Bengaluru.
Akhilesh More holds a bachelor’s degree in management studies. He completed his master’s in business administration (MBA) from NMIMS, Mumbai. He is deeply interested in the domain of Political Advocacy and analysing the electoral system in India.